Nicky Catsburg says he is looking not only for opportunities in the World Touring Car Championship but also other categories for 2017, following the news of LADA’s imminent withdrawal from the championship.
The Dutchman has competed in the top level of touring cars for the past two seasons, having been brought in part-way through the 2015 season. Initially a replacement for Mikhail Kozlovskiy, Catsburg has gone on to rack up 36 race starts in the championship.
The current season has seen further progression for the 28-year-old, having scored his first podium in the second round in Slovakia, followed by his first pole position and race win at the Moscow Raceway in June.
Now Catsburg’s options in the top level of touring cars appear to be limited, with the forthcoming season finale in Qatar to be his last race with the LADA Sport Rosneft team following the surprise decision by the Russian marque to can its WTCC programme.
“I had planned and agreed to extend my relationship with LADA Sport Rosneft through into the 2017 FIA World Touring Car Championship, despite receiving other offers,” said Catsburg, who has been released by LADA. “I’m disappointed that my association with the brand will be cut short, given what we have come so far and achieved so much with the LADA Vesta, the highlight being the one-two in front of LADA’s home crowd in Russia.
“I am effectively a free agent, so I’m going to regroup and look for other opportunities within the WTCC and in other categories.”
Prior to the WTCC season finale on 23 – 25 November, Catsburg will focus on competing in the second FIA GT World Cup event at the Circuito da Guia in Macau next weekend (17 – 20 November), where he will be at the wheel of a factory BMW.