Al Masaood must now unexpectedly remain in the United Arab Emirates due to unforeseen business commitments during the week of the “Grand Prix of Miami” at the Homestead Miami Speedway (US State of Florida) on April 29.

Al Masaood, who is driving the Audi R8 GRAND-AM along with Steven Kane (GB) in the North American series for the first time, believes it would be of no benefit, at least on this occasion, to retain an entry and run with a “substitute” driver.

Oryx Racing will now actively use the coming weeks to test and further evaluate the R8 Grand-Am with Kane at the helm.

Tom Maplethorpe (GB), Team Manager:

“Humaid is bitterly disappointed about being unable to race at Homestead next weekend but understandably his business must come first. We believe that there would be no point in going to Homestead with another driver alongside Steven [Kane] for a one-off race – it wouldn’t be fair to that person and we don’t see that it would be of any benefit to the team. We’re planning a number of tests so as to make progress with the development of the Audi R8 Grand-Am.”