Ho-Pin Tung had made good progress since his accident at the Hungaroring (Hungary) on 31st July. New examinations carried out this week have confirmed that the third Renault F 1 Team driver will soon fully recover from his injuries.
However, it is still too early for him to drive at Spa-Francorchamps. Ho-Pin will be replaced by Romain Grosjean this weekend, and the Frenchman will team up with Jérôme d’Ambrosio in the DAMS squad.
Ho-Pin will undergo more examinations next week, after which the doctors will be able to say whether or not he will be present at Monza (Italy) on 11-12 September.
Romain Grosjean: “It’s never very nice to replace another driver due to injury, and I really wish Ho-Pin a quick recovery. While awaiting his return, I’m delighted to be able to lend a hand to the DAMS team for which I drove at Hockenheim just over a month ago. In Germany we were very quick but luck wasn’t on our side. In Belgium, we’ll have the opportunity to build on our collaboration and turn our promising performance into points.”
Ho-Pin Tung: “A few days after my return from Budapest I slowly began training again. I’ve made quick progress, and my back is less painful but the examinations carried out at the start of the week show that the fracture hasn’t healed 100%. It would be too dangerous to get back behind the wheel now. Of course, I’m disappointed, but I’m continuing my physical recovery programme and I hope to come back very soon. I’d like to wish DAMS, Jérôme, and Romain a very successful weekend.”