Former Audi LMP1 driver Marco Bonanomi will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this month following a late call-up from the ByKolles Racing squad.
The 32-year-old Italian will join Dominik Kraihamer and Oliver Webb behind the wheel of the Nissan-powered ENSO CLM P1/01 for the French enduro, which takes place on June 17th-18th.
Bonanomi comes in to replace James Rossiter, who is tied with Super GT testing commitments in Japan.
"We deeply regret that James had to call off his participation at Le Mans just to attend a test in Japan," said Boris Bermes, Director of Racing Operations for ByKolles.
"We had to find a replacement on short notice. In Marco Bonanomi, we found a very fast and experienced LMP1 driver."
"Marco was already racing on the highest level at Le Mans as an Audi factory driver three times. During our test in Spa-Francorchamps last week, we were convinced by his unsurpassed qualities and we could make further progress with our car."
Bonanomi made three starts with Audi at Le Mans between 2012 and 2015, reaching the podium on his first attempt with Oliver Jarvis and Mike Rockenfeller.
He has since competed regularly in Germany's premier GT series and made his IMSA Sportscar Championship debut in a prototype at Circuit of the Americas last month.
"I am very happy that I am allowed to climb into the ByKolles Racing car for the best and most important race of the year," he said.
"In the course of my career, participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans was always a dream. Being on the podium at my debut in 2012 will stay in my memory forever. I would like to thank the team for giving me this chance and I cannot wait to race a LMP1 car at the Sarthe again."
Bonanomi will join his team-mates for the official Le Mans test day on June 4th, two weeks before the race.
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