Following Mike Rockenfeller‘s crash at the previous round of the DTM Series, Nyck de Vries has been drafted in to replace Rockenfeller if the need arises.
Rockenfeller sustained a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot after a heavy collision with the Mercedes of Gary Paffett (who escaped with only bruising) in the second race at the Norisring.
The impact sustained a force of 35G, meaning Rockenfeller’s Audi RS 5 DTM had to be rebuilt around another monocoque for the pair of races at the Moscow Raceway.
Rapax Formula 2 driver de Vries, performed the roll-out of the rebuilt machine last Tuesday and will travel to Moscow in case the German cannot compete.
De Vries has been having a difficult time as of late in the F2 series, with points in the Silverstone Sprint Race his first since a podium finish in the Baku Feature Race.
However, Rockenfeller is determined to race and has had a special bandage and orthopedic racing shoe made especially for his injured foot.
“I like the track and want to race at all costs, otherwise the championship will be over for me,” said Rockenfeller. “With this bandage it should work.
“I not only want to race in Moscow, but win there for the third time as well.”
Rockenfeller, clinched victory for Audi in 2013 and 2015 – their only victories in Moscow to date.
Currently sitting eighth in the championship standings, with a sole podium finish to his name from the opening race of the year at Hockenheim he would be keen to not let the title get too far out of his grasp by missing a round.