Dutchman Jaap van Lagen will replace Rob Huff in the second of Leopard Racing’s two Volkswagen Golf GTi TCR cars at Monza this weekend, with Huff on duty in the World Touring Car Championship.
Huff has been signed to the WRT-run squad for the remainder of the season, but cannot commit to racing in Italy due to clashing commitments in the WTCC in Hungary.
As a result, Leopard Racing have drafted in 40-year-old Van Lagen to stand in for Huff this weekend, supporting Jean-Karl Vernay’s championship challenge.
Van Lagen has extensive history in touring car racing, having previously been a factory LADA driver in the WTCC, where he made his most recent appearance in the 2015 season.
Since then the Dutchman has been competing primarily in GT racing and the VLN in Germany, having contested the 2016 ADAC GT Masters season.
“I’m very much looking forward to my first TCR event ever at Monza,” said van Lagen. “Especially because I’m joining a top team and I will be driving a competitive car.
“For me it’s a good opportunity to come back to touring car racing after a few years with LADA Sport. I hope I will be able do a good job and score important points for the team!”