Franz Engstler will be replaced by Masaki Kano for the WTCC event in Suzuka; the German driver has been forced to cancel his participation because of sickness.
He is expected to recover in time for the next race meeting at Shanghai.
A former champion in the Asian Touring Car Series , 37-year old from Kyogo, Kano has never missed any WTCC event in Japan.
From 2008 onwards he has always taken part at the wheel of Liqui Moly Team Engstler’s BMW cars. This is the second time, after 2011, that he drives the 1.6-litre 320 TC.