Photo: Fotospeedy
Cem Bolukbasi has been ruled out of this weekend’s Formula 2 round at Imola by injury, leaving Charouz Racing System in need of a replacement driver.
The series rookie finished 14th in both races of the opening round at Bahrain, then a free practice crash in Jeddah ruled him out of the rest of on-track action as he was diagnosed with a concussion.
He returned to driving in last week’s in-season Barcelona test, but another crash on the opening morning involving two impacts with the turn nine wall left Charouz with a large repair job and Bolukbasi in need of further medical attention.
While his car was repaired for day two of the test, Bolukbasi reported “a sudden pain in my torso” and was flown to Turkey where it was discovered he had fractured a rib and it soon become evident he was unlikely to be fit for Imola.
The 24-year-old has now confirmed the injury and his absence from the upcoming races, posting on social media:
“Last week, after the pain in my back, we learned that I had a fracture in my rib during the doctor’s check-ups. I won’t be able to race in Imola this weekend as my treatment continues.”
Charouz has already begun its search for a replacement driver for this weekend, and that Bolukbasi’s seat for the rest of the season could be insecure if his injury problems persist. After Imola, the next F2 round is at Barcelona on May 20-22.
Formula Scout understands that budget problems were what ruled Charouz’s FIA F3 Championship driver Ayrton Simmons out of that series’ test at Barcelona, and he too will likely be replaced for Imola.