LE MANS, France - Audi's Le Mans winner Loic Duval has been ruled out of the 24 Hours sports car race on doctors' orders after a severe crash during practice on Wednesday (June 11 2014).
The 32-year-old Frenchman sustained only scratches during the high-speed impact that demolished his car but Audi announced later that Spanish reserve Marc Gene would replace him in the rebuilt No.1 car.
VIDEO: Duval in Le Mans practice
Organisers said doctors had submitted a report to the marshals "disallowing him from racing".
AIMING FOR 10TH WIN
Duval won the 2013 race as well, as the world Endurance championship, in a car he shared with Denmark's nine-times winner Tom Kristensen and now-retired Scot Allan McNish.
Kristensen is seeking a record-extending 10th win from the 2014 race with Lucas di Grassi replacing McNish and hoping to become Brazil's first winner.
The race at the Sarthe circuit in western France will start on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Frenchman sustained only scratches during the high-speed impact that demolished his car but Audi announced later that Spanish reserve Marc Gene would replace him in the rebuilt No.1 car.
VIDEO: Duval in Le Mans practice
Organisers said doctors had submitted a report to the marshals "disallowing him from racing".
AIMING FOR 10TH WIN
Duval won the 2013 race as well, as the world Endurance championship, in a car he shared with Denmark's nine-times winner Tom Kristensen and now-retired Scot Allan McNish.
Kristensen is seeking a record-extending 10th win from the 2014 race with Lucas di Grassi replacing McNish and hoping to become Brazil's first winner.
The race at the Sarthe circuit in western France will start on Saturday.