Mardenborough to Replace Injured Ordonez at Barcelona

Jann Mardenborough has been named as Lucas Ordonez’s replacement for the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup finale at Barcelona, after the Spanish driver broke his shoulder in a cycling accident.

Mardenborough, who races for Nissan in Super GT, will sub into the No. 23 GT SPORT MOTUL Team RJN Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 alongside Alex Buncombe and Matt Parry.

The Englishman’s call-up marks his first Blancpain GT appearance since Silverstone 2015, and his first time in a Nissan GT3 car since last year’s Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in which he finished eighth.

“I’m very excited to do another race with Bob Neville and the RJN guys, but I wish it were under better circumstances,” said Mardenborough.

“I feel bad for Lucas. I know he is shattered. It is bad enough to miss out on a race through injury but is even worse when it is in your home country, and you miss out on the chance to race in front of your fans, family, and friends.”

Ordonez was reportedly on a training exercise in Majorca when the accident happened and was advised by a specialist sports doctor to sit out his home event.

“I just cannot believe it,” he said. “I was going slowly, and suddenly I was in agony on the ground.”

“To miss this race, my home race is such bad luck. I’m not sure what hurts more – missing the race or the pain from my shoulder.”

“It will be great to have Jann back with the team, but I wish I were able to share a car with him. Being on the sidelines will be tough,  but hopefully, I can help the team off-track in whatever way I can.”

In addition to the No. 23 car’s driver swap, Team RJN has also added British LMP3 Cup champion Colin Noble to its No. 22 crew.

Noble, who currently races for Ecurie Ecosse/Nielsen Racing in the European Le Mans Series, will make his Blancpain GT debut at Barcelona alongside Struan Moore and Ricardo Sanchez.