Is Audi, splitting the strategy, between their two cars? Porsche is now 1-2. With splitting the strategy, the car you want to do best, is on a more conservative strategy, while the car you want to take it easy, is probably turning up the wick, just a bit. Patrick Dempsey has pitted the #77 Porsche from fourth spot in class. Marco Seefried continues behind the wheel. Toni Vilander, and Michael Christensen, continue their battle, in LM GTE Pro. Gustavo Yacaman, is passed, by Fred Makowiecki. Makowiecki runs behind Toni Vilander, in the Ferrari. These are championship rivals in GTE Pro.
The Audi's are off strategy to the Porsche's. But the tire strategy, won't change, for at least one more stint. We continue to wonder, if Team Manthey will be back in the FIA WEC next year in GTE Pro. Now, it looks like Timo Bernhard, has taken the lead. What will team orders dictate? #17 pits. This is not a gamble. The lead goes back to Jani. Audi have already done it. This track at Shanghai, is very abrasive. If it dries out, those tires could fall off, very quickly. However, there are low clouds still in the sky, that could spill more rain. It's like someone has turned the contrast level down on the screen on a video game.
Ho Pin Tung has taken over the Pegasus Morgan #29. Second place in LM GTE Pro changes hands, and it's now a Porsche 1-2. 85 laps are now complete. 288 miles. Toyota is in the lane. Can't tell which number. It could be #1, and it is. Kazuki Nakajima is on the super soft option intermediate tire. Andrea Bertolini and Marco Seefried battle for position in LM GTE Am. If any performance drops out of the tires, it will be greater in tires that are already in a worn state. Sebastien Buemi is in the #1 Toyota.
Sebastien Buemi has gone for the intermediate Michelin tire, too early. The track is not as dry as it could be, even though the conditions are improving. Toyota can gamble. They just don't have the performance of Audi or Porsche. These tires, have to last, through this fuel load. Alexandre Imperatori in the Rebellion is running real well, real fast, running at over 300 clicks. 300 kilometers per hour. Sam Bird is carving his way through the field, and particularly, taking his LMP2 car through the LM GTE Pro field.
The #7 car appears to be the quickest through the speed traps. Treluyer is slightly offline trying to keep away from the bad bumps. The titanium skid plate under the car, is sparking. Benoit Treluyer is also still dealing with a very dirty windscreen. Paul Dalla Lana in the Aston Martin, and Rui Aguas, in the Ferrari, trade places. Patrick Dempsey has to get back into the #77 car to fulfill all his drive time. Alexey Basov also has to finish the race in the #72 SMP Racing Ferrari. Neel Jani says his tires are going away. Double stinting the tires, probably won't work because the track is beginning to dry.
The full wet tires from Michelin, are being overheated. This track has dried out enough, that the teams will hope to be running intermediates after their next stops. Tire wear is a big deal. But, if they hold station, they could win the manufacturers trophy, fair and square. The battle will be down to Porsche vs. Audi for the overall victory. Richard Bradley pits the #47 KCMG car. Can Nick Tandy make the best of the improving weather conditions? Paul Dalla Lana, has spun off the road. In LM GTE Am, it is now Rui Aguas, leading. Sam Bird, pits.
New intermediate tires in order for car #26. Sebastien Buemi and Alex Wurz in the Toyota's, are on par with each other, as far as lap time. Oh dear. The #18 Porsche runs wide, and the lead, has changed. Jon Fogarty in the #31 HPD has a penalty to serve in pit lane. The #17 Porsche's tires are nearly knackered. Audi is in the lane. They are rolling the dice. A driver change is being made. They are forcing Porsche's hand, clearly. The Porsche's will run one more lap at least. Marcel Fassler is the driver of the #7 Audi now.
Fassler is out, for his first stint in this event. Lucas di Grassi has not brought in the #8 Audi yet. Marcel Fassler runs a 1:41 flat! That's a quick lap. He is ruthless in the car. LMP2 leader in the lane, now. The Audi's are now quicker than the Porsche's through the first sector. Car #8 is on fresher wet tires. Marcel Fassler is heating his intermediate tires and could double stint them. The Porsche's will also have to use intermediate tires. Audi will undertake a driver change. Audi prepare, as Lucas di Grassi, will indeed, make a pit stop. What strategy, will they use?
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