The Japanese manufacturer has prepared well for the race and (for the time being) is fully justifying its favourite’s tag. The two Toyota TS050 Hybrids have shared the lead since Rafael Nadal brought the flag down to start the race. The pair of Rebellion R13-Gibsons fielded by Rebellion Racing are more than ten laps in arrears. The #3 is just ahead of the #1. 

The Japanese clan were given a warning not to take anything for granted when José María López spun on accelerating out of turn 3, the Dunlop Chicane. No damage reported but the gap in favour of Fernando Alonso in car #8 obviously increased to 1:40 as a result.

In LMP2, G-Drive Racing (#40 Oreca 07-Gibson) and Signatech Alpine Matmut (#36 Alpine A470-Gibson) continue to hold the top two places. Meanwhile, the third place on the podium is now occupied by Graff-SO24 (#39 Oreca 07-Gibson) with Vincent Capillaire at the wheel. The place is hotly contested, however, with United Autosports (#22 Ligier JS P217-Gibson) and TDS Racing (#28 Oreca 07-Gibson), in the hands of Juan Pablo Montoya and Matthieu Vaxivière respectively, in the hunt. 

LMGTE Pro is the class that has captured the fans’ attention in the 21st hour. The pink pig #92 Porsche still holds a solid lead but a fierce battle is being fought for second place. Frédéric Makowiecki (#91 Porsche 911 RSR) has been subjected to a two-prong Ford attack from Andy Priaulx and Sébastien Bourdais (#67 and #68 Ford GT respectively). The tussle with Sébastien Bourdais was particularly intense. The local driver didn’t quite manage to stay in front of the Porsche after making an audacious move at Indianapolis. Mako snatched the place back on accelerating out of Arnage, forcing Bourdais off his racing line. Porsche are in the top two positions at midday, but the Ford GTs are still in close contention.

In LMGTE Am, the #77 Porsche 911 RSR of Dempsey-Proton Racing holds a 30-second lead over the Ferrari 488 of Keating Motorsports. It will now all come down to strategy in the final three hours. 

Top 3 in each class at 12:00

LMP1

1. #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing
2. #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing
3. #3 Rebellion Racing

LMP2

1. #26 G-Drive Racing
2. #36 Signatech Alpine Matmut
3. #39 Graff-SO24

LMGTE Pro

1. #92 Porsche GT Team
2. #91 Porsche GT Team
3. #68 Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA

LMGTE Am

1. #77 Dempsey-Proton Racing
2. #85 Keating Motorsports
3. #54 Spirit of Race