Nicky Catsburg “disappointed” to be out of a drive for 2017

Lada Sport’s Nicky Catsburg has said he is disappointed after having re-signed to drive for Lada for 2017, to now find himself out of a drive, with the Russian manufacturer pulling the plug on its WTCC programme.

Lada has reportedly told its staff that it will no longer continue to compete in the World Touring Car Championship from 2017, with the next round, the season finale at Qatar, set to be the last round for the Vesta WTCC car.

Catsburg, along with team-mates Gabriele Tarquini and Hugo Valente, are now out of a drive for next season, and with just Volvo and Honda left on the grid, there are few, it not no drives left available for them with the decision made so late in the season.

“I have heard the rumours but as yet I have no ‘official’ confirmation from the team,” said Catsburg to TouringCarTimes. “If it’s true, I am obviously very disappointed having commited to Lada for 2017, so I guess I will be looking for an alternative drive.”

Tarquini, who signed for Lada this year after being dropped by Honda at the end of 2015, now looks almost set for involuntary retirement for the second year running, with a return to Honda not even on the table, and a seat at Volvo unlikely.

Valente, who was thrown a last-minute lifeline to remain in the WTCC by Lada this year following Rob Huff’s departure, could be forced to look back at the TCR International Series, where he was set to drive for Craft-Bamboo Racing.