24h Le Mans
Seven hours into the race, Toyota still dominates with the #7 and #8 TS050 HYBRIDs in the top two spots. Porsche is clearly setting the pace. Aston Martin is in the lead in the LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am classes.
LMP1
The #7 Toyota TS050 has entered the eighth hour as it did the previous ones, in the lead. At 21:15, a duel between André Lotterer and Kazuki Nakajima was underway for second position. The Japanese Super Formula teammates are giving their all at Le Mans. Lap times of 3:21-3:22 are a demonstration of hybrid power and skilful driving. At 21:32, Kazuki Nakajima found an opening exiting the Arnage corner, and with a hybrid system most likely fully charged, he overtook André Lotterer with ease. Two Toyotas are in the lead.
As the sun goes down and the temperature cools down, conditions have become ideal for fast laps and direct confrontations. Keep an eye toward the bottom of the classification: in 53rd position, Brendon Hartey is running faster than the lead cars. At the wheel of the #2 Porsche 919, delayed for an hour and five minutes with engine troubles, he is now racing without much hope of success. But he and his teammates will be looking to recover as much lost ground as possible.
LMP2
Dusk has not disrupted the Vaillante Rebellion team's pace in any way; it still comfortably leads the class. The #31 and #13 Oreca 07-Gibsons are even in fifth and sixth position overall! Only two other cars are running in the same lap as the Vaillante Rebellions: Jackie Chan DC Racing's #38 Oreca 07-Gibson and CEFC Manor TRS Racing's #25 Oreca 07-Gibson.
LMGTE Pro
Darren Turner at the wheel of the #97 Aston Martin Vantage has held onto the lead in the LMGTE Pro class. The #95 sister car is once again driven by Nicki Thiim who performed admirably early in the race. Unfortunately the advantage he built up was wiped out by a flat tyre when his teammate Marco Sorensen was at the wheel. But the Dane climbed back, little by little. The head of the GT class is still up for grabs, with nine out of 12 cars in the same lap.
LMGTE Am
Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche - the lead trio has not changed, with Paul Dalla Lana delivering an excellent stint and Rob Smith (JMW Motorsport's #84 Ferrari) at around 40 seconds. Only the top three are running in the same lap.
PHOTO: Aston Martin has reigned over the first quarter of the race, leading in LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am.
