The sixth round of the ERC season kicks off on Friday in the Czech Republic with the traditional Barum Czech Rally Zlín. The challenging tarmac event has attracted over a hundred crews, but Østberg and Barth will be absent.
Østberg and Barth crashed their Citroen into a tree during the previous ERC round in Italy. Both the seasoned driver Østberg and Barth sustained injuries in the impact.
Østberg suffered a fractured rib, while Barth required a longer stay in hospital due to a broken jaw and hip.
Østberg has now confirmed that they will not be able to compete in the Czech Republic this coming weekend.
“It’s been a few rough weeks, but Patrik has successfully gone through surgery and started his recovery! I’m also still recovering, and feeling much better now, but neither of us is in shape yet,” Østberg shared on social media.
“We will come back together when both of us are ready, which means at least another 4-6 weeks.”
New Zealander Hayden Paddon currently leads the European Rally Championship standings, with three rounds remaining in the season. Frenchman Mathieu Franceschi is seven points behind Paddon, while Østberg sits fourth in the standings.
The ERC frontrunners will face stiff competition from several local rally talents at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín. Among the Czech drivers chasing top positions are Erik Cais, Filip Mares, and Jan Kopecky, who has won the event a remarkable ten times.
