Mercedes-AMG DTM’s Robert Wickens has moved stateside to make an impromptu Verizon Indycar Series début this weekend, following on from visa issues arising for Russian driver Mikhail Aleshin.
The Guelph native will make a return to single seaters for the first time since 2012, having been a former Red Bull Junior driver and 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 champion.
Wickens, who started his DTM career back in 2013, will replace Aleshin at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in the #7 entry for the Friday practice sessions, as the Russian has not been able to make it to Road America in time to take part.
The official statement from Schmidt Peterson Motorsports regarding Aleshin, who is currently staying in France until the issues are resolved, reads as follows:
““Since competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with SMP Racing last weekend, Mikhail Aleshin, driver of the No. 7 Lucas Oil Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda in the Verizon IndyCar Series, has been unable to leave France due to immigration issues preventing him from returning to the United States.
“The executive team at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports has been working diligently on Aleshin’s return to America to compete in this weekend’s KOHLER Grand Prix. However, at this time, the Russian driver will not arrive to Road America in time for any on-track sessions scheduled for Friday, June 23.
“The team have elected for Canadian Robert Wickens to pilot the No. 7 car until the immigration issue is resolved.”
Wickens and Hinchcliffe did a race car swap collaboration project, seeing the five-time DTM race winner go behind the wheel of the #5 Honda-powered Indycar at Sebring International Raceway back in February, whilst Hinchcliffe would then head to the Autodromo Vallelunga three weeks later to rack up some mileage in the BWT-liveried Mercedes-AMG DTM C63 Coupé.