Nika International, the team behind Honda Racing Team Sweden, will also miss this weekend’s World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) event at the Hungaroring, as driver Rickard Rydell remains ill with thyroiditis.
The team had already been forced to miss the Marrakech event, with Rydell having fallen ill in the days leading up to the African race. Since then, however, Rydell has been diagnosed with thyroiditis and has not recovered sufficiently to get back behind the wheel, with doctors advising the Swede not to race.
The team have opted not to field a replacement driver for the Hungarian event and will sit out the second meeting in a row.
”This is a difficult situation for all of us, and it’s a real shame to miss out on so much valuable running in this opening part of the season,” admitted Rydell. “We were already running behind in terms of testing and would have really needed these races, but all I can do is follow the doctors’ advice and be patient.
“I’m making progress, but stepping into a racing car at this moment in time is just out of the question. It’s one of the most frustrating things I’ve experienced, and I really hope to be back on form for the Nürburgring. I can’t wait to get back in the car.”
Team Principal Nicklas Karlsson says it is an unfortunate event and has ruled out bringing in a replacement driver, having consulted with the team’s partners in the lead up to the event.
“We are facing a challenging start to this season – it’s most unfortunate,” said Karlsson. “The main priority is Rickard’s health and we have the utmost respect for the doctors’ recommendations. The last thing we would do is subject Rickard or anyone else in the team to any unnecessary risks, and we’re prepared to give this the time it takes.
“On the sporting side, this is obviously far from ideal – particularly at a time when we were supposed to get our real testing programme underway following the first flyaway races. We have carefully considered our options for this weekend together with our partners and have come to the conclusion not to bring in a replacement driver. Instead, our sole focus for now is to make sure we put all the arrangements in place for a competitive return at the earliest possible opportunity.”