Duval ruled out of Le Mans 12 | 06 | 2014
FRENCHMAN LOIC DUVAL, who crashed heavily in yesterday's free practice when his Audi flew into catch-fencing at the Porsche Curves, will not be allowed to take part in the Le Mans 24-Hours.
Miraculously Duval (pictured), who partnered Dumfries racer Allan McNish to victory 12 months ago, escaped from the 170mph impact — which destroyed his No1 Audi hybrid — with only cuts to his shoulder and leg.
But after staying overnight in hospital in Le Mans for observation, doctors have decided that he should not take part in the race. The decision will most certainly have been influenced by concerns over the delayed reaction from concussion.
Related: Audi ace Loic Duval in horror crash
Duval will be replaced in the car — which is also crewed by Dane Tom Kristensen and Brazilian Lucas di Grassi — by the team's reserve driver, Marc Gene.
The Spaniard had been set to race with the Jota Zytek LMP2 team.
Audi is currently completely rebuilding the No1 car — whose remains looked as though it had been the victim of a bomb explosion, such was the destruction — to be ready for this evening's final qualifying session.
The car will be built round a brand new monocoque, though parts of the suspension and gearbox are understood to be useable from the original wreck.
Gene's place in Jota's Zytek-Nissan Z11SN alongside Harry Tincknell and Simon Dolan will be taken by Oliver Turvey, who raced for the team in last year's European Le Mans Series.
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Jim McGill