Nykjaer replaces Di Sabatino in Brazil

The bamboo-engineering team have been forced to replace driver Pasquale Di Sabatino on the eve of this weekend’s WTCC event at Curitiba after doctors warned him he is still too sick to travel.

Danish driver Michel Nykjær will instead take the wheel of the team’s Chevrolet Cruze alongside Alex MacDowall for the Brazil round.

The news comes after Di Sabatino was advised yesterday that he was still not 100% fit from a serious dose of bronchitis and pneumonia last month. Although the Italian had been expecting to travel to Brazil today, he has been ordered not to fly.

The team have drafted in the services of ex-WTCC driver Nykjær, who is this season driving a Cruze for the Chevrolet Motorsport Sweden team in the Scandinavian Touring Car Cup.

Team Principal Richard Coleman explained: “We’re all very disappointed that Pasquale is unable to drive this weekend. We are sure he is going to be fit in time for America, and we thank his sponsors for their patience throughout his illness. The whole team wish him the very best and look forward to having him back with us soon. We are delighted to have been able to secure the services of Michel at such short notice. He’s a very highly respected driver and has experience with the Cruze so he’s the perfect replacement and we are confident we can have a good weekend. His only problem is the timescale. He’s pretty much just agreed to drive, is jumping on a plane and will be here in Brazil some time tonight and then be straight out on track on Friday afternoon. We’re all looking forward to working with him here.”