Patrese Replaces COVID-Positive Ghiotto at Misano

Lorenzo Patrese has received a late call-up to replace Luca Ghiotto in Tresor by Car Collection’s lineup for this weekend’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup round at Misano.

Ghiotto announced on social media that he has tested positive for COVID-19, ruling him out of the penultimate round of the season, while Patrese has arrived at Misano to drive the No. 12 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II.

Patrese, who is set for his Sprint Cup debut, will contest the pair of 60-minute races alongside Ghiotto’s full-time Sprint Cup co-driver Mattia Drudi.

In an Instagram post, Ghiotto said: “Yesterday night I tested positive to COVID-19. Very light symptoms, don’t worry.

“But this means I won’t be in Misano this weekend, missing my home race. It’s a shame because this was one of the races I was waiting for the most.

“I want to wish the best of luck to Tresor by Car Collection, Mattia Drudi and Lorenzo Patrese. I’ll be cheering you from the couch.”

Patrese drives Tresor by Car Collection’s Silver Cup-class Audi in the GTWC Europe Endurance Cup and is therefore familiar with the team.

The 16-year-old son of six-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese graduated to GT3 this year after completing his first full season of Italian F4 in 2021.

Ghiotto and Drudi currently sit ninth in the GTWC Europe Sprint Cup standings, with their best result so far being fifth in the opening race at Magny-Cours.