Tony Kanaan replaces Bourdais at Le Mans

 Tony Canaan will debut at 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 17 and 18 at the wheel of the Ford GT n°68 de Chip ganassi Team USA. The Brazilian is evolving in Indycar since 2002 and was champion in 2004. He now races for Chip Ganassi Racing and is 6th in the championship.

« It is an honor to be called into the Ford GT line-up for Ford Chip Ganassi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Kanaan says. It's obviously in unfortunate circumstances given Sébastien's accident but I will do my best in his place to help the team win this fantastic race. »

Although he has never participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he has already been victorious at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2015 as well as the Indianapolis 500 two years previously.

« We are very happy to be able to count on an experienced and talented driver like Tony at the wheel of the No. 68 Ford GT for the 24 Le Mans., adds Dave Pericak, director of Ford Performance.

« The situation is certainly not ideal and we are devastated that Sébastien cannot defend his title and we know how much this race means to him.»

Kanaan will team up for the first time with Joey Hand and Dirk Müller but has already driven the Ford GT during the 24 Hours of Daytona last January. Selected for the Indycar round in Detroit, he will not take part in the test day on Sunday June 4.