Stephen Simpson says he’s still hoping to part of JDC-Miller Motorsports’ Cadillac DPi.V-Rs effort in the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, despite a recent inaccurate report of his split with the Minnesota-based team.

The U.S.-based South African, who will return to the team’s Michelin Pilot Challenge Audi TCR effort alongside Michael Johnson, told Sportscar365 that he’s still in discussions with the John Church-led team for its planned two-car DPi effort, although a deal has yet to be reached.

“I still have a great and very strong relationship with JDC-Miller Motorsports,” Simpson told Sportscar365. “We’ve achieved a lot together and I’m still in the frame for a drive with the DPi car next year.

“I’ve known the team and been part of the team for the last eight or nine years and I’m still hopeful that I’m going be part of the lineup. We’ll see how the next couple of weeks play out.”

It’s understood a number of drivers have been in the mix for the team’s full-season seats, including former Action Express Racing driver Joao Barbosa, who could bring sponsorship from Mustang Sampling.

With a deal not yet fully locked in, Simpson admitted he would likely entertain additional options, particularly due to his Silver rating from the FIA, but stressed that his immediate focus is still on finding a way back in one of JDC-Miller’s Cadillac DPis.

“If I were to get a call from another team tomorrow, I would I would have a conversation with a team,” he said. “I wouldn’t just say I’m I’m set for next year and that’s the end.

“Whereas that would have been the case this time last year.”