Team Oreca mamut have announced that Frenchman Simon Pagenaud will replace the injured Stéphane Ortelli for Le Mans.
Ortelli who was injured in the massive shunt at Monza had hoped to be fit for Le Mans but, unfortunately, this was not the case.
"I understand Hugues de Chaunac's decision to not take any unnecessary risks," Ortelli said in a statement on his Web site. "They need six drivers to deliver 110 percent of their potential from June 1 Test Day, which would have not been the case for me."
Pagenaud comes off the back of a podium on debut for the de Ferran Motorsports Acura in the American Le Mans Series and is excited about the prospect of running at Le Mans.
Pagenaud had competed in the Champ Car World Series in 2007 but found himself without a drive in the early part of 2008 - that is until Gil de Ferran came along and snapped up the young Frenchaman.
Pagenaud's form over a 24 hour race is unknown, but in Pagenaud, Oreca have a capable replacement who should prove competitive through the race and qualifying.
Sam Tickell