De Ferran retain Pagenaud for '09

The double Champ Car champion's team were immediate front-runners when they joined the ALMS mid-season, although they didn't quite manage to convert their speed into a LMP2 class win. Next year the de Ferran squad, along with Highcroft Racing, will spearhead Acura's move into the premier LMP1 class.

Pagenaud moved to sportscars with de Ferran after being left on the sidelines when the Champ Car World Series was merged into the rival IndyCar Series at the start of this year.

"When Simon joined us less than a year ago, frankly little was known about him apart from the fact he showed a lot of promise and carried himself well," said de Ferran.

"From our perspective, this promise has been realised and today, although still only 24-years-old, Simon is one of the series' leading drivers. His contribution to our team in 2008 went beyond the excellent job he did in the cockpit and we look forward to benefiting from having him around in 2009."

Pagenaud, who won the Atlantic series in his first year in America, said he was delighted to stay with de Ferran, Acura and the ALMS, and was in no hurry to return to open wheel racing.

"The Acura feels so much like a single seater that I don't miss it too much," he said. "I would like to do the Indy 500 one day - that is one of my dreams - but I am really happy with Acura and want to continue for as long as I can.

"I think we have great potential to win races and championships and it is fantastic to be part of the Acura family. I am really happy where I am."