Mike Conway Injured, José María López to Substitute at Lone Star Le Mans
Austin, TX – The American motorsports scene will see a notable change this weekend as Mike Conway withdraws from the Lone Star Le Mans due to a collarbone injury sustained in a training accident. José María López will step in for Conway in the #7 GR010 HYBRID alongside Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries.
López was originally slated to race with AKKODIS ASP in a Lexus RC F LMGT3 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). A replacement for López in the Lexus is expected to be announced shortly.
This marks a repeat of a similar situation that occurred at Le Mans in 2024 when Conway, injured in a cycling accident, was replaced.
Team Dynamics and Preparations
Sébastien Buemi will return to the #8 GR010 HYBRID, teaming with Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa, who competed as a two-driver lineup in Brazil last month.
Kobayashi, Team Principal and driver of the #7 car, expressed enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the vibrant atmosphere and support from American fans. “We’ve had a few weeks to analyze what happened in Brazil and we aim to come back much stronger in Austin,” he said, while also thanking AKKODIS ASP for facilitating López’s inclusion.
López remarked on his unexpected opportunity, saying, “I know Mike is very disappointed… I feel ready for the challenge and will give everything for a strong result.”
De Vries acknowledged Conway’s absence, noting that López’s familiarity with the team positions them well despite the challenges ahead. “We need to execute a clean weekend and maximize our performance in all areas,” he stated.
Buemi reflected on his return, expressing readiness to collaborate with his teammates and pushing for a competitive performance after observing their previous race from the sidelines.
Upcoming Challenges
As teams prepare for the race, all eyes will be on their performance in Austin, particularly in light of the shifting lineups and recent race challenges. The Lone Star Le Mans will test both driver resilience and team strategy as they vie for supremacy on the track.
