Thomas Laurent has been inserted into IDEC Sport’s line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a late replacement for the injured Kyle Tilley.
Tilley suffered a shoulder injury and will sit out the event, with Laurent instead joining the duo of Ryan Dalziel and Dwight Merriman aboard the #17 ORECA 07-Gibson.
“This is awesome! Obviously, no one wants to replace anyone under these conditions, but you also must seize the opportunities,” said Laurent. “I had to comment on the race on the team, and they told me right away that my real place is behind the wheel, so I thank them.”
“I will do my best to provide the benefit of my experience at Le Mans since it will be my fifth time. I never rode with these tires there, but I rode in Dunlop the first year in LMP2.”
“I know Oreca well, but it will still change a bit with this latest version. I am delighted to join IDEC SPORT and to discover the team. I’m going to rely on the pro drivers of the sister car for the first impressions.”
The French’s team run up to this weekend’s French endurance classic has not exactly been spotless thus far.
In addition to Tilley’s injury, the team was also forced to carry out a complete tub change on the #17 ORECA during the Test Day after Merriman suffered contact with another prototype.
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