Rob Huff misses Barcelona test and season launch due to virus

2012 WTCC drivers’ champion Rob Huff has been forced to miss the season launch event for the 2018 World Touring Car Cup after being stricken by a virus, missing the final test day at the Circuit de Catalunya before the start of the championship in Morocco next week.

The 38-year-old was the only driver absent of the 26-strong entry for the 2018 season after a bug meant he had to cancel plans to attend the launch event at the Spanish circuit.

Huff was due to test along with Sébastien Loeb Racing team-mate Mehdi Bennani at the track in their Volkswagen Golf GTI TCRs, before the cars are shipped to Marrakech for the first race of the season on April 6th.

“I’m really upset to be forced to miss the launch event especially after all the work that’s gone into this new championship,” saud Huff. “This season is looking to be one of the best years of touring car racing in at least that last decade, if not longer. It’s the first time I’ve missed the launch event in my career.

“It’s also going to be a bit of a disadvantage to miss the last test, but the Sébastien Loeb Racing guys are a really professional bunch and I’m sure we’ll still be able to hit the ground running when we get to Morocco.

“The new WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup looks like it’s going to be incredible right from the get-go, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and racing with a lot of my old friends and rivals from the last few years, as well as a lot of the new guys. With so many manufacturers on the grid, it’s going to be a fantastic show, and I’m proud to be flying the flag for Volkswagen, where our aim is absolutely to win the title, though we know it’s going to be a very competitive season.”