FE: Turvey to miss Berlin for Super GT

McLaren Formula 1 test driver Oliver Turvey will miss the Berlin Formula E round after renewing his factory Super GT deal with Honda.

The Briton is 13th in the FE points, two places and six points ahead of champion NEXTEV TCR team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr at the halfway stage of an impressive rookie season in the electric single-seater championship.

Turvey, 28, made his Super GT debut last year with the Drago Modulo team and had a second season confirmed in late February.

Because his initial contract with Honda predated his move into FE for season two, Turvey will prioritise the Autopolis Super GT round that clashes with the German FE race on May 21.

"We don't want to say 'you have to drive for us'," NEXTEV TCR team principal Steven Lu said. "He helps us a lot and we want to give him the opportunity to go for Super GT because that's part of the original deal from before.

"We can try some different drivers in the simulator, we've got a few in mind, and maybe we find a driver who can be in Berlin and also tries our future cars."

Turvey will again partner 2010 Super GT champion Takashi Kogure in Japan.

He is hoping improvements to the NSX-Concept GT will allow the team to take the fight to Nissan and Lexus after a solid maiden campaign in which he finished 12th with a best result of sixth.

"It's great to be able to race with a manufacturer and the car level is very high, it's like a prototype-GT," he said. "It's a really competitive level, there's a lot to learn when you race in Japan, the car is tricky to drive, there's tire development, and the tracks are challenging.

"I was pleased with the level I got to, I matched the pace of my former champion team-mate. I'm much better prepared [now] and it's a lot easier when you've got the experience of last year.

"We struggled compared to the other manufacturers but we're hoping the changes Honda has made to the car will make it more competitive."

Originally on Autosport.com