World Touring: Thompson and Lada to part ways

Double British Touring Car champion James Thompson has parted company with the Lada Sport World Touring Car Championship team with immediate effect, according to sources close to the team.

Thompson withdrew from last weekend's Hungaroring round of the WTCC after qualifying, citing complications following dental treatment.

A team spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny Thompson's departure, saying there was nothing to add to the team statement issued post-qualifying, which confirmed his withdrawal from the Budapest race.

Jaap van Lagen, who raced for Lada in the WTCC with Thompson in 2009 and who tested the latest-model Vesta car at the Hungaroring on Tuesday, is expected to be announced in due course as Thompson's replacement.

Thompson was unavailable for comment. He first raced for Lada's works WTCC program in 2009 and has been a full-time part of it since its 2012 return.

Lada rented the Hungaroring circuit exclusively for Tuesday's test. As well as van Lagen, current works driver Rob Huff and Super TC2000 champion Nestor Girolami drove the car.

Girolami was present at the behest of WTCC promoter Eurosport Events, but it is believed that his contract with Peugeot would preclude him from joining the WTCC in 2015.

Originally on Autosport.com