Photo: WTCC Media

Stefano D’Aste to miss Macau

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The number of contenders for the Yokohama independents’ trophy has been reduced by one, as Proteam’s Stefano D’Aste will not be racing at the WTCC season ender at Macau.

Stefano d’Aste will not take part in the final WTCC race of Macau, TouringCarTimes has learned.

The Italian driver currently lies fifth in the Yokohama Independents’ Trophy, 36 points shy of his team mate Sergio Hernàndez, who leads the championship.

Although still in with a mathematical chance of clinching the title, D’Aste is said to prefer to attend the traditional Monza Rally Show, which is to be held in the same weekend as the WTCC finale.

D’Aste won the independents’ crown in 2007 with Wiechers Sport; The Italian has won one race this year in the independents’ category at Monza.

D’Aste had previous skipped the final race, back in 2008, when the Italian was given a grid penalty which he felt didn’t allow him to fight properly for that year’s crown.

Proteam are not expected to replace d’Aste, leaving his car to Nobuteru Taniguchi, who used Proteam’s fourth car in Japan.