Team UK Captain Chris Froggatt has been forced to withdraw from the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games due to illness, with Sam Neary stepping in as his replacement for the GT discipline.

Froggatt was due to compete alongside British GT Champion Ian Loggie in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, co-run by the RAM Racing and Sky Tempesta Racing teams.

However, due to illness, Froggatt will now be unable to compete, and flying out to Marseille in his stead is Neary.

“I’m obviously disappointed to be unable to compete and represent Team UK this weekend,” said Froggatt.

“However, it does give a fantastic opportunity for an up-and-coming talent like Sam to step in. As soon as I knew I wasn’t going to be at full fitness, it was a quick and easy phone call to make to draft him in.

“I know Sam, Ian and the teams at Tempesta and RAM will do a great job and make us all proud.”

Neary is a race winner in British GT, and is well-known for competing in with Mercedes AMG, the marque that Team UK will run at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend [26-31 October] alongside his father, Richard.

The 21-year-old is also a former member of the Motorsport UK Academy, at one stage winning the Young Driver of the Year award during his stint with the governing body’s performance pathway for aspiring stars.

“It’s been a crazy 24 hours,” admits Neary.

“I’ll only make it to the circuit in time for FP2, but I’m really looking forward to being a part of Team UK and the FIA Motorsport Games. Thanks to Chris, Ian, RAM and Tempesta for their faith in me.”

Chris will remain Team UK’s Captain in an ambassadorial role for the remainder of the event, with Esports entry James Baldwin taking on some of his duties as Vice-Captain.