Eager had been on account of compete within the championship decider alongside Cottingham in 2 Seas’s #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3, changing common driver Jonny Adam who’s unable to race at Donington on account of a European Le Mans Collection dedication.
Collectively, Adam and Cottingham lead the British GT3 standings by 13 factors having taken three wins and an extra two podiums this season.
However Aston Martin manufacturing unit driver Adam, who already has 4 British GT titles to his identify, will likely be absent regardless of makes an attempt being made for him to race on the season finale.
Eager, who at present shares the British GT wins document with Adam, had beforehand been introduced as racing within the Scot’s place earlier this season.
He has already competed within the sister 2 Seas machine in Portimao alongside reigning champion Ian Loggie, filling in for Mercedes manufacturing unit driver Jules Gounon, and had examined with the crew and Cottingham at Donington earlier this month.
However the Anglo-Bahraini squad introduced on Wednesday that Ellis, a Mercedes manufacturing unit driver since 2021, would as a substitute fill the position alongside Cottingham.
#57 Winward Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3, GTD: Russell Ward, Philip Ellis
Picture by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
Ellis has represented the producer within the GT World Problem Europe and America collection, DTM, IMSA, GT Masters and Intercontinental GT Problem, however has by no means raced in British GT.
Cottingham mentioned: “I couldn’t have requested for a greater team-mate at first of the season than Jonny, who we knew could be lacking two rounds, and we have been lucky that it ended up being one after the rescheduling of one of many rounds that clashed.
“Regrettably now, for us, he has to honour his commitments, which we at all times knew to be the case.
“With the title taking place to the wire, Mercedes-AMG have reached out to supply considered one of their drivers for the ultimate spherical, to present us the absolute best alternative to push for the absolute best end result at Donington to problem for the title.
“They need to make certain every part attainable is finished from their facet, with no stone left unturned, so it’s thrilling to be working with Philip for the weekend, and I’m grateful to Mercedes-AMG for his or her help, which underlines how critically they see the British GT championship.”
Cottingham at present holds a 13-point buffer over Century Motorsport BMW M4 drivers Darren Leung and Dan Harper forward of the season finale on 22 October.
Regardless of not racing, it could nonetheless be attainable for Adam to seal the title alongside Cottingham, if Leung/Harper fail to overturn the 13-point deficit and Cottingham doesn’t add to his tally.