Durango Corse will not attend the final round of the 2009 GP2 Series in Portugal after being unable to find available drivers in time.

Coming just a week after being forced to withdraw from the penultimate event at Monza, although the team were on route to Portimao for the stand-alone season finale, team principal Ivone Pinton confirmed the lack of association with Formula 1 meant there were no suitable drivers willing to compete.

“Our trucks were already travelling to Portugal, but this race is not in conjunction with Formula 1, which made difficult to find drivers for the Portimao final races.

“At this stage, instead of persisting in seeking for drivers, who aren't ready for such a commitment, we preferred to withdraw from the event. I am sure that this pause is the better solution for us all.”

Despite being reduced to a single car, following Stefano Coletti's massive accident at Spa-Francorchamps two weeks earlier, Durango were planning to compete at Monza, only for the Monegasque driver to withdraw at the last-minute, leaving them no choice but to skip the meeting.

Durango, who began the year with Davide Valsecchi and Nelson Panciatici, are currently 11th in the team standings with just this weekend's event remaining.