By alley - Apr 8, 2015, 4:23 PM ET

WEC: David Brabham joins Tequila Patron ESM for Silverstone

David Brabham has been drafted in to replace an injured Johannes van Overbeek in the No. 31 Tequila Patrón ESM Honda Performance Development ARX-03b LMP2 for this weekend's season-opening round of the World Endurance Championship. Brabham will co-drive with Ed Brown and Jon Fogarty in the six-hour race.

Brabham has one previous start at the 6 Hours of Silverstone; he finished seventh in the LMP1 class co-driving a LMP1 Honda-powered prototype.

"It was quite a surprise to get a call this close to the race," said Brabham. "Scott [Sharp] explained the situation, and I feel for Johannes after having my own rib injury a couple of months ago racing in Australia. I know how much pain he is in.

"I'm honored to have been called up to help out Tequila Patron ESM here at Silverstone, which isn't that far from where I live. I'll do the best I can this weekend. I'm back in racing form since my accident and have been training frequently. I'm looking forward to driving with Ed again, and we'll start the Tequila Patrón ESM WEC season off on the right foot."

Brabham (NEAR LEFT, with Sharp) is a familiar face in the Tequila Patron ESM garage. In 2014, Brabham co-drove with Scott Sharp and Ryan Dalziel in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and assisted in a runner-up finish at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Then in November, Brabham teamed with Johannes van Overbeek and Brown, in the No. 31 prototype, to a fourth-place finish at the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Shanghai. In 2013, Brabham co-drove in the then-No. 01 prototype during the American Le Mans Series endurance races at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, where he captured his 14th career ALMS pole position.

"It is very unfortunate that Johannes suffered a rib injury and is unable to compete with Tequila Patrón ESM this weekend at Silverstone, but we expect him back and fully recovered for Spa," said team owner/driver Sharp. "Fortunately for Tequila Patrón ESM, David is available, local and Silverstone is his home track. He has joined us at a number of races over the last couple of seasons and has done a stellar job each time. We're glad to have David back with the team, but we also wish Johannes a speedy recovery."