Ben Spies will miss next weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez as the injury sustained at the end of the 2012 season continues to trouble him. The American will be replaced by Ducati’s test rider Michele Pirro who was already entered as a wildcard but will now fill the vacant berth in the Pramac squad.
Spies originally suffered a separated shoulder as well as injuries to his ribs and a bruised lung in last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix and his pre-season build up to 2013 has been plagued by the injuries. Spies felt more pain following the warm-up at COTA on Sunday and despite racing to thirteenth in the afternoon, it was clear that all was not well. The team confirmed in a statement that Spies has been advised to undergo “three consecutive weeks of intense rehab in order to alleviate the strain in his pectorals and back muscles.”
“Despite the constant improvement in the condition of his shoulder after recent surgery, Ben still needs further intense work to build up his muscle, and to acquire the necessary strength which will enable him to endure the stress during the race. Therefore the therapy will be different to what he has done so far, focused on limb mobility, thanks to his better physical condition. These three weeks of therapy will allow the Texan to be back for the Le Mans race.”
