24h Le Mans
Tom Kristensen unleashed the 56 cars of the 83rd 24 Hours of Le Mans at 3 o'clock under bright sunshine after the French fighters flew over the start/finish lane. At the end of the first hour, the safety car is in after a crash between two prototypes and a GT car.
The clock was ticking 4, when the race required the safety car. The No. 92 Porsche Team Manthey's engine blew up and spilled oil on the track right before the Forza Motorsport chicane. Alexandre Imperatori lost control of the Rebellion Racing No. 13 R-One and hit the Strakka Racing #42 Strakka Dome driven by Jonny Kane, while the Porsche of Patrick Pilet was burning. Both LM P1 and LM P2 prototypes were able to make it to the pits, whereas the Porsche is out of the race. Pilet escaped the fire without injury.
Neel Jani, who secured pole position in the No. 18 Porsche 919 Hybrid, was passed in Lap 1 by Timo Bernhard in sister car No. 17. The German driver is still leading after the first pit stops. The No. 9 Audi was the first LM P1 car to stop, half an hour into the race, followed by the No. 19 Porsche. Most LM P1 cars pitted in Lap 12, but both No. 17 Porsche 919 Hybrid and No.1 Toyota TS040 Hybrid stayed out one more lap.
In LM P2, a great battle between both Thiriet by TDS Racing and KCMG Orecas and G-Drive Racing No. 26 Ligier, which ran in this order one hour into the race.
In LM GTE Pro, the No.95 Aston Martin was leading after Nicki Thiim passed his teammate Richie Stanaway in the No. 99 Vantage, who started from pole and lost three positions. The No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari was still second, ahead of No. 97 Aston Martin.
In LM GTE Am, Andrea Bertolini took the lead in the No.72 AF Corse Ferrari, ahead of positter No. 98 Aston Martin and No. 55 AF Corse Ferrari.
Cécile Bonardel / ACO
