Dutchman Jaap Van Lagen will replace Jean-Karl Vernay for the Zandvoort round of the TCR Europe series, with the Frenchman unable to compete due to his commitments in the FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR).
The WTCR rules forbid drivers from competing on circuits which are part of the FIA calendar before the WTCR event takes place, which prevents Vernay doubling up in The Netherlands this weekend.
As a result, Van Lagen will step in to the Leopard Lukoil Racing Audi RS3 LMS for the weekend’s two races.
Van Lagen has previously raced with the WRT-run team in the TCR International Series in 2017, when he joined the team in a third car for the Monza and Oschersleben races alongside Vernay and then team-mate Rob Huff.
Van Lagen also took part in the TCR Germany races at the circuit in 2017, when he stepped into one of Bas Koeten Racing’s Audi’s, giving him first-hand experience of the RS3 on the coastal circuit.