Filippi to sub for Kral at Super Nova
Super Nova has recalled its former driver Luca Filippi to deputise for the injured Josef Kral from this weekend's Silverstone GP2 rounds
Kral remains in hospital having suffered two fractured vertebrae when he vaulted over the back of Rodolfo Gonzalez's car in Valencia, in a similar accident to the Mark Webber/Heikki Kovalainen collision that occurred in the grand prix later that day.
Team boss David Sears said Kral had been consulted about his replacement before Super Nova picked Filippi.
"I spoke with Josef Kral in hospital, where he will be for another couple of weeks, at the weekend," said Sears. "I explained the whole team's thoughts are with him to wish him a speedy recovery.
"We have decided jointly with Josef's management to place Luca Filippi back in with our team, as he is the best choice to be Marcus Ericsson's team mate. It's just sad that Josef will not be there racing at circuits that he knows well."
Filippi raced for Super Nova in GP2 in both 2007 and 2009. The 24-year-old former Honda Formula 1 test driver has two wins to his name in the main GP2 championship, and was runner-up in the Asia series with Meritus over the winter. He is mainly racing in Auto GP this season, where he currently holds second in the standings.
"First of all I wish Josef Kral well and hope he returns to racing soon," said Filippi.
"From my point of view, this has come as a nice surprise and is a great opportunity. We have known each other for a long time and I am sure we can take off where we left off. I am really motivated to do a good job."
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