Potolicchio disappointed to miss Le Mans

Enzo Potolicchio has backed the choice of Frankie Montecalvo as his replacement behind the wheel of 8Star Motorsports' Ferrari 458 Italia GTE-Am for the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Potolicchio has contested every FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) race to date, but has been forced to vacate his seat for the 82nd running of the legendary endurance classic due to conditions relating to his US Green Card application. The Venezuelan racer is required to remain within the United States for the duration of the six-month process until his application for an overseas travel permit is accepted.

As a result, young charger Montecalvo has been enlisted as Potolicchio's replacement and will join Paolo Ruberti and Gianluca Roda in 8Star's striking orange-liveried #90 Ferrari for the twice-around-the-clock enduro.

The New Jersey-based 24-year old is a full-time entrant in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship's 'Prototype Challenge' division, and steps into 8Star colours with prior experience of Le Mans and the European Le Mans Series.

While disappointed, Potolicchio is already looking forward to returning to the WEC fray at Circuit of the Americas in Texas in September, and is confident Montecalvo will step up to the plate and deliver at Le Mans.

"It's an unfortunate situation, but it's something that cannot be helped," he said, "It was important to find a solution for 8Star Motorsports' Le Mans effort and I'm delighted that we have somebody of Frankie's calibre to take my place in the Ferrari 458 Italia.

"I'll return for the remainder of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship more determined than ever and I'm already looking forward to getting back behind the wheel at Circuit of the Americas in September!"