Mauricio Lambiris to replace Ferenc Ficza

Uruguayan Mauricio Lambiris will make his FIA World Touring Car Championship debut at WTCC Race of Argentina this weekend after securing a last-minute agreement to deputise for Ferenc Ficza at Zengő Motorsport.

Ficza is currently recovery from surgery following appendicitis and was prevented from flying from his native Hungary to Argentina, leaving his Honda Civic WTCC on the sidelines.

But Lambiris, who is in Termas de Río Hondo contesting the supporting Turismo Nacional round in a privateer Ford Focus, has been able to reach a late agreement to step up to the WTCC, becoming the first driver from Uruguay to race in the championship.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for me,” said Lambiris, a former karter. “When I was flying here I understand that the Zengő team did not have one driver here so I tried to close the deal with the team and here we are. For me it’s positive. I know the circuit because we race here all the years and that will help me. I’m very excited, it’s very important, the most important race in my career.”

Lambiris, 28, won the most recent Turismo Nacional round at Posadas in northeast Argentina on 17 July, beating several factory drivers in the process. His success was also the first by a Uruguayan in the 45-year history of the championship.