CLX Motorsport has announced a late change of driver for this weekend’s 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, with Sebastián Álvarez replacing Manuel Espírito Santo aboard its #47 ORECA 07 – Gibson.
This is due to Espírito Santo sustaining a minor wrist fracture following an accident in Wednesday’s pre-event test.
“While taking part in yesterday’s Collective Test, our LMP2 #47 was involved in a high-speed off-track incident with Manuel Espírirto Santo at the wheel,” the team said in a statement. “After medical checks, Manuel has been diagnosed with a minor wrist fracture and will be unable to continue this weekend.
“Sebastián Álvarez will step in to temporarily take Manuel’s place, joining Enzo Fittipaldi in the #47 for the rest of the weekend. We wish Manuel a quick recovery and sincerely thank the team for their outstanding work in getting the car fully repaired and making it ready to race again.”
Álvarez finished as runner-up in last year’s European Le Mans Series LMP2 drivers’ championship, when he raced for Inter Europol Competition.
This season, the Mexican driver is contesting the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in LMP2 with Tower Motorsports, and has also made starts with IDEC Sport at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Comtoyou Racing at the 24 Hours of Spa.
Álvarez will partner Enzo Fittipaldi in the only two-driver line-up in the LMP2 class this weekend. The #47’s third pilot for the opening half of the season, Pipo Derani, stepped down from his drive last month to focus on the development of the Genesis GMR-001.
Feature image © CLX Motorsport
