Ordonez joins Greaves for ELMS and Le Mans

Spaniard Lucas Ordonez will contest the European Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours for British outfit Greaves Motorsport.

The 26-year-old claimed victory in the inaugural season of GT Academy - a reality TV show that aims to turn video gamers into real life racing drivers - and has subsequently racked up significant on-track mileage. The highlight came at last year's 24 Hours, where he claimed runner-up spot in the LMP2 class aboard a Nissan-powered Signatech entry.

In 2012 he will remain in the class and switch to the Greaves squad, who beat him to Le Mans glory last year. He will partner Alex Brundle and Tom Kimber-Smith for the ELMS campaign with Martin Brundle replacing Kimber-Smith at la Sarthe.

“2011 was an incredible year for me,” said Ordonez. “I learned a lot with Signatech Nissan. They believed in me and trusted me to get the job done.

"Now Nissan has set me my next challenge: an overall championship victory. With two top team-mates and a championship-winning team I am aiming to win the European Le Mans Series outright.

“The Le Mans 24 Hours will again be a big challenge for me and I’m very much looking forward to racing with Martin (Brundle) as I will learn a lot from him."

Greaves will continue to field a Nissan-powered Zytek in 2012.

Watch LIVE European Le Mans Series on Motors TV


James Weeks