A tweet this morning from Cooper MacNeil confirms that there will be a driver change aboard the #89 WeatherTech backed Proton Porsche.
MacNeil reports that he is suffering from a high fever and stomach problems so will be replaced by Gunnar Jeannette, the team’s nominated reserve driver.
Jeannette ran at the Test Day but has not completed the required night laps so will be unable to drive in the hours of darkness.
“The WeatherTech Racing team had me come to the test so I would be eligible to drive in the race as a reserve driver,” Jeannette said. “No one likes the circumstances, I hate it for Cooper. Le Mans is the highlight of every driver’s year. I have been with the team all week and I am ready step in and drive.”
This will be Jeannette’s eighth Le Mans start. He has a previous best finish of fifth, overall, in 2003.
STOP PRESS
08:45 am … Gunnar Jeannette reports on Twitter that the ACO will now not permit the change.
DSC spoke to Jeannette about the situation:
“Right now, the ACO hasn’t agreed with the driver change decision. Our team manager is going to speak with whoever made the decision, we are not entirely sure who made it yet.
“Cooper seriously cannot drive, he has 102 degree fever and is at risk of passing out at the wheel.
“The team will just enter two drivers as it stands, there is no plan to withdraw the entry.”
