DPR driver for the 2008 GP2 Series, Michael Herck, sustained a hand injury in Bahrain last weekend and will be forced to sit out the opening round of the new season which starts later this month in Barcelona, Spain.

Herck broke a bone in his hand after striking the kerb and jolting his wrist on the steering wheel during the sprint race at the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix weekend. He has travelled to specialists in Belgium for treatment and will not be able to compete in the first round of this season's Series. At this stage it is not known whether he will be fit for the second event in Turkey.

DPR Team Principal, David Price, comments, "We're very disappointed that Michael will not be in the car for the first round. He's been settling in well with the team in pre- season testing and we were all ready to take on the challenge of the new GP2 season with the new car. Of course our sympathies are with Michael and I'm sure he's as equally disappointed; we wish him a speedy recovery to full fitness and his return to the DPR car."

DPR has been contesting the GP2 Asia Series with drivers Diego Nunes and Armaan Ebrahim. The nominated pairing for the summer season is Michael Herck and Diego Nunes. The final round of the GP2 Asia Series takes place this weekend at the Dubai Autodrome, in the UAE. The opening round of the GP2 Series, with the debut of the new GP2 race car, will be at the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix, from 25 – 27 April.