Nicklas Karlsson leaves Opel

Nicklas Karlsson and Opel Team Sweden will part ways for next year. The Swede joined the team for this year, replacing Tommy Rustad in the newly build S2000-spec Opel Astra.
“It has not been a good year, I’m looking forward to new challenges now,” Karlsson said.

The new Astra was only finished right before the season premiere. Karlsson’s best finish was sixth position in round seven and he scored a total of six points, placing him 13:th in the championship right behind Rosenblad. Anders Warnestad from the Opel team says the team has had to change their goals during the season.

“It was too optimistic to believe we could be in the top fight from the first year, sadly. Despite a lot of testing during the season we have not found the right settings for Nicklas and it has been very frustrating for both our driver and the whole team. Sadly we have not been able to deliver, either the team or our driver. That happens sometimes unfortunately,” Warnestad said.

Karlsson is looking to continue in the STCC next year, but no plans are as of yet set.

“First we must look over the budget for next year. Then we are going to see what is interesting. STCC is there but there are also other classes that are looking interesting for next year,” Karlsson said.

Opel Team Sweden and Nicklas Karlsson part ways as friends.

“We wish Karlsson the best of luck in the future. For sure we will meet again in STCC,” Warnestad said.