World Touring: Van Lagen gets Lada seat for Germany

Lada Sport has confirmed Dutchman Jaap van Lagen will race for its World Touring Car Championship team at the Nurburgring, replacing the departed James Thompson.

It was revealed on Tuesday that Thompson had left the team. Complications following dental surgery had initially been cited as the reason he did not start last weekend's Hungaroring races.

Van Lagen tested the team's Vesta at the circuit alongside Rob Huff on Tuesday, and Lada has now announced he will race on the Nordschleife on May 15-16.

Having contested the 2008 and '09 WTCC seasons in Ladas, van Lagen has spent recent years in sports car racing, primarily the Porsche Supercup and Blancpain Endurance Series.

The team statement about the Nurburgring lineup makes no mention of the remaining 2015 events or Thompson, all-but confirming the two-time British Touring Car champion's departure.

Lada's Tuesday test was marred by a high-speed crash for Huff at the first corner. Following an estimated 110mph impact, Huff went to hospital for checks but was cleared of serious injury.

Originally on Autosport.com