» WTCC: One in, one out for Macau finale

The grid for the World Touring Car Championship finale at Macau will remain at 34 cars, despite the late withdrawal of André Couto from the event’s line-up.

In the Macanese driver’s place – albeit in an entirely different car – will be his 36-year-old compatriot, Eurico de Jesus.

This will be de Jesus’ second appearance at the famous Guia Race. He had made his WTCC debut at last year’s event, piloting an ex-JAS Motorsport Honda Accord Euro-R run by the Fiva Auto Racing Team. He qualified 25th-fastest, and achieved a best finish of 18th in Race 2.

De Jesus will once again compete in the same normally-aspirated Honda, although this time the entry will be backed by the PAS Macau Racing Team this time around. He will be eligible to compete in the EuroSport Asia Trophy Championship, which is currently being led by Yukinori Taniguchi.

Couto, a Guia Race veteran, will be missing from next weekend’s line-up at his home event, opting instead to compete in the Audi R8 LMS Cup series with the Brothers Racing Team.

Couto had been confirmed as driving Campos Racing’s third SEAT León at Macau, and his vacancy could open the way for Taniguchi – who drove the same car last weekend at Shanghai and does yet have a drive at Macau – to have a second outing in the car in order to clinch the Asia Trophy title.