24h Le Mans
The #46 Oreca 05 Nissan has won at the 4 Hours of the Red Bull Ring in Austria, scene of the third round of the European Le Mans Series. It is the second win in a row for the French team who has also reduced its separation in the championship with G-Drive Racing (third).
The win wen to Thiriet by TDS Racing's #46 Oreca 05 Nissan. Despite two front hood changes (electrical problems), Mathias Beche, Pierre Thiriet and Ryo Hirakawa did a fantastic race without any major problems. This was the team's second win in a row after Imola back in May.
At the French team's car was a second Oreca belonging to Eurasia Motorsport who was the top ELMS representative at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans (fifth in LM P2). Pu Jun Jin, Nick De Bruijn and Tristan Gommendy did a great race with no problems whatsoever.
The podium was rounded out by the current leader in the championship, G-Drive Racing's #38 Gibson 015 S Nissan. Delayed by a flat early in the race then by contact near the end, Simon Dolan, Harry Tincknell and Giedo van der Garde saved their skins in the championship - and the latter clocked the best in-race time.
The top 5 included SMP Racing's #32 BR 01 with an on-point Julian Leal and Algarve Pro Racing's #25 Ligier JS P2 who scored its best result to-date.
In LM P3, the battle was as intense as expected. Between the fight for the top spots, contact and incidents, the suspense was over the top. Duqueine Engineering's #19 Ligier JS P3 driven by Dino Lunardi, David Hallyday and David Droux ensured an excellent result by clinching the team's first win in LM P3. It came in ahead of the leaders in the championship, United Autosport's #2 Ligier JS P3 and 360 Racing's #6.
In the LM GTE class, the #66 Ferrari F458 Italia emerged victorious. A return to normal in a way for this team disqualified after its win at Silverstone in the U.K. (Grande-Bretagne) following the marshals' decision. It came in ahead of two other Italian cars: AF Corse's #51 and AT Racing's #56.
Now the ELMS competitors will take a one-month break before the Le Castellet round in France on August 28th.
Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
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Photo: ELMS Adrenal Media
