By Tarek Ramchani
Day 1 one at Le Mans was highlighted by the heavy crash of Loic Duval in the free practice session. The French driver lost control of the factory #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro and crashed at the very quick Porsche Curves.
Audi Sport Team Joest is busy repairing the heavily damaged car and will make sure to to have it ready for today's two qualifying sessions. However it's official now, Loic Duval will not race the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Loic escaped from that severe crash and his conditions are OK but he will not take part in the French classic and try to defend his 2013 victory. Audi reserve driver Marc Gené will take over and join Lucas di Grassi and Tom Kristensen behind the wheels of the #1 machine.
Marc Gené will replace Loïc Duval at the wheel of the No. 1 Audi #R18 #LM24 @FIAWEC @24hoursoflemans
— Audi Sport (@Audi__Sport) June 11, 2014Marc Gené is already on site and was supposed to race for Jota Sport team in the LMP2 class with a Zytek.
We wish a very quick recovery to Loic Duval who is celebrating his birthday today.
Free practice report is here.
First qualifying report is here.
Photo credit: Audi Media
