This race does not quit. We continue to expect to see a 200-lap conclusion to this race. The solo Porsche 919 Hybrid #17 of Bernhard/Webber/Hartley continues to lead overall chased by the #7 Audi R18 e-tron and sister Porsche #18. Will we see a 1-2 for Porsche or further dramas? The other categories also continue to fluctuate as the race turns 160laps. By category summary –
LMP1
As above the battle is all about Porsche v Audi with #7 slowing a little and the potential of a 1-2 for Porsche must be hugely tempting for the marketeers in Weissach. The Porsche of Neel Jani is lapping at an average of half-a-second a lap.
LMP2
Less than 2-minutes separate the front three runners in this category. The same players battle it out #47 =26 #28.
GTE-Pro
The two Porsche RSRs #91 from #92 continue to lead being chased by the damaged and delayed #71 Ferrari 458. Aston Martin Racing’s misgivings with the Balance of Performance (BoP) handed out to them clearly is a factor today and without their cars being otherwise notably delayed they trail the above battle in #95, #99 and #97 order 🙁
GTE-Am
With an hour to go its the SMP Racing #72 Ferrari 458 leads from the #98 Aston Martin Racing Vantage, followed by the #83 AF Corse Ferrari. I hope for Aston Martin that they make the top step of the podium they currently trail by just 1.804 of a second after 5-hours of racing !!
Find somewhere to tune in watch, listen or follow along, we will be doing the same for the remainder of the race.
Expect to bring a post race reflection in the coming days… ttfn, Nick.
