Gaurav Gill is missing from the Production car World Rally Championship (PWRC) round in Italy this weekend (May 22-24). Contractual obligations with MRF Tyres (Gill is under contract with MRF) is believed to have become a sticking point in discussions between Gill and TSI Racing (with whom Gill competes in the PWRC) boss Mohan Nagrajan.

Speaking to AUTOCAR INDIA, Nagrajan admitted that discussions were still on-going between him and Gill to try and confirm the former INRC champion’s participation in the PWRC. “Gaurav has a prior commitment with MRF”, Nagrajan said. “We are still in discussions and trying to get him to drive for us”.

Nagrajan also cited a conflict of interest between Subaru and Mitsubishi as a cause for Gill’s no show in Italy this weekend. Gill drives a Subaru Impreza in the PWRC for TSI Racing and a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) for MRF Tyres.

When asked to comment on the situation, MRF Tyres’ Tony Rodrick stated that MRF had no issues with Gill driving for any other team in any other championship. “Our position is that Gaurav is free to drive for whoever else he wants but is contracted to MRF”, Rodrick said.

When asked to comment on the situation Gill was philosophical. “I’m a driver, all I want to do is drive”, said Gill. “This really is an unfortunate situation that I find myself in”. At the very least, Gill will be completing the remainder of the APRC season. Gill finished sixth overall and fourth amongst registered APRC drivers at Rally Queensland last weekend despite his new Lancer Evo X suffering a puncture during a competitive stage.