Nissan promotes Mardenborough, Ordonez to LMP1 drives

Briton Mardenborough, who won the GT Academy in 2011, will drive the radical front-engined car in the World Endurance Championship full time, while Ordonez will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

"It's an honour for me to be chosen to compete in LM P1 for Nissan," said 23-year-old Mardenborough.

"I have raced at Le Mans twice in LM P2 so I have seen the current LM P1 cars at very close quarters out on the track.

"To think I will be racing one this year is very exciting. The Nissan GT-R LM NISMO looks set to be an historic race car and I get to drive it!"

Ordonez's sole outing with the GT-R LM NISMO will be at Le Mans, although Nissan has not ruled out further races for the 29-year-old.

The Spaniard will also be competing in the Japanese Super GT series with a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500.

"When I received the call telling me I would race the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO and the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 it was like winning GT Academy all over again," said Ordonez.

"Last year was incredible, racing in Japan and learning all about the unique racing culture over there. Now I get to race in the top class in Japan and at Le Mans I will jump into the ultimate GT-R!"

Mardenborough and Ordonez will be joined in the LMP1 line-up by Michael Krumm, who will race in the first three rounds of the WEC at Silverstone, Spa and Le Mans.