Grégoire Demoustier has unexpectedly left the DG Sport Compétition team in the TCR International Series after the most recent round at Oschersleben, leaving a vacancy in the team’s second Opel Astra car.
Frenchman Demoustier joined the Belgian team for the fifth round of the season at the Salzburgring, replacing Pierre-Yves Corthals in the team.
However the former World Touring Car Championship driver has struggled to crack into the top ten in the competitive series, finishing all six of his races outside the points.
Now Demoustier has opted to call time on his short foray into TCR and focus his efforts on the World Rallycross Championship, where he is competing with DA Racing at the wheel of a Peugeot 208.
Demoustier informed the team of his departure on Sunday night, leaving them to find a replacement driver before the next round in Thailand in just under two months’ time.
“I thought I would drive the last three races in TCR international but I finally decided to involve myself more in World Rallycross Championship, whose French round will take place at the same time as TCR in Thailand,” said Demoustier.
“I would like to thank DG Sport Compétition for the good time I spent in the team and for the professionalism and extreme kindness they showed.”
Team Manager Christian Jupsin believes the team have now overcome the issues with the competitiveness of the Opel, with their main driver Mat’o Homola having scored his second podium of the season in Germany.
“Our difficult beginning was due to a delay in the development caused by a late decision to take part in this program,” explained Jupsin.
“But now the Opel Astra is more than never competitive on all tracks, as proven by pole and second position on the fast track on Salzburgring and the new silver medal of Mat’o in Germany last weekend.
“We are looking for a fast driver –with an adapted budget- to end 2017 season with good results and prepare 2018 that we will start with higher expectations.”
Drivers interested in the seat are urged to contact Jupsin at [email protected].