Augusto Farfus has got an urgent call to go to the Rolex 24 At Daytona, which will be run this coming weekend.

The Brazilian will replace British-Swedish Tom Blomqvist, since there has been some delay to his visa application.

Farfus will drive the BMW Team RLL M8 GTE #25, alongside Connor De Phillippi, Philipp Eng and Colton Herta.

This is a huge blow for Blomqvist, who thereby loses all chances of becoming an IMSA Champion in 2019, since the plan for him was to share the car full season with Connor De Phillippi.

The team hopes for Blomqvist to be ready for the Sebring race in March, and then for the rest of the season, but that all depends on the visa application.

“I’m very disappointed that I am unable to race at Daytona,” said Blomqvist. “I will be back home with my fingers crossed for the whole team and looking forward to returning at Sebring.”

The tone is naturally very different from Farfus: “I love the Rolex 24 At Daytona. I know the team, the car and the circuit very well and am ready for this challenge.”

Farfus knows the BMW M8 GTE car from both the IMSA series, and of course the FIA World Endurance Championship, where he also drives the car.

Blomqvist will hopefully be ready to go prior to Sebring – otherwise we will have a very busy Farfus there, since he will race #82 at the FIA WEC race there as well.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2019 starts with the 24 hours race at Daytona on Saturday 26 January.