24h Le Mans
The halfway point of the race has now come and gone. The competitors continue to maintain their speeds in the darkness...if the lap times clocked by Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the #8 Toyota are any indication.
At mid-race, the two Toyota TS050 Hybrids are still in the lead with the #7 of José María López ahead of the #8 of Fernando Alonso. According to the Formula 1 driver's lap times (3:19.112), he seems perfectly at ease in conditions he had yet to experience before the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The two Rebellion Racing cars are not letting up, still trailing in third and fourth positions.
In LMP2, the top three remain the same but Panis-Barthez Compétition's #23 Ligier JS P217 has slipped into second position between G-Drive Racing's #26 ORECA 07 and Signatech Alpine Matmut's #36 Alpine A470. The last competitor in the overall classification, Algarve Pro Racing's #25 Ligier JS P217 went off at the Mulsanne Corner. Mark Patterson was able to return his car to the pit before taking the track once again. DragonSpeed's #31 ORECA 07 driven by Roberto Gonzalez was immobilized in the gravel trap at the first chicane before being replaced on the track.
No notable change in LMGTE Pro. The #92 and #91 Porsche 911 RSRs are still leading the charge in the class ahead of the #68 Ford GT fielded by Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA. Porsche GT Team's other two cars have not been as fortunate: the #94 was forced to retire and the #93 is in 50th position.
In LMGTE Am, the #77 fielded by Dempsey-Proton Racing holds the lead, with Keating Motors' #85 Ferrari 488 GTE returning to second position in the class.
Retirements prior at the halfway point in the race
- #6 Ginetta G60-LT-P1, CEFC TRSM Racing (electrical problem)
- #17 BR Engineering BR1, SMP Racing (accident)
- #98 Aston Martin Vantage, Aston Martin Racing (accident)
- #94 Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche GT Team (electrical problem)
- #4 Enso CLM P1, ByKolles Racing Team (accident)
The top 3 in each class after Hour 12
LMP1
1. #7 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
2. #8 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
3. #3 Rebellion Racing
LMP2
1. #26 G-Drive Racing
2. #23 Panis-Barthez Compétition
3. #36 Signatech Alpine Matmut
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. #84 JMW Motorsport
