Zengő Motorsport’s Ferenc Ficza will not compete in the World Touring Car Championship races this weekend in Argentina due to illness, leaving the team with just one Honda Civic for Dániel Nagy.
The WTCC had been set for its biggest grid of the season at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo, with 19 cars originally anticipated to line up on the grid.
However that number will now be reduced to 18 with the withdrawal of Ficza, who developed appendicitis in Hungary earlier in the week.
Such was the severity of Ficza’s illness that he required surgery and has been prevented from flying to Argentina for the eighth round of the season.
“Ferenc regrets that he is not at Termas,” said a Zengő Motorsport spokesperson. “It’s an event he was looking forward to because the circuit looked very good to him.
“Now he will watch the live coverage on Eursport and follow his team-mate Dani [Nagy], who he is a big fan of. It is hoped Ferenc will be fit for WTCC Race of Japan next month.”
The team will still be present in Argentina, having expanded to two cars at the previous round for youngster Nagy.