Ryan Briscoe runs second in LM GTE Pro. Toyota bailed out on development of their old car, last year. They developed this new car, and look what's happening. Marc Lieb is at the keyboard of the #2 Porsche. Wouldn't it be amazing, if Sebastien Bourdais could win in class, in his home race? Ford isn't going for the overall. But, it would still be amazing, because, Sebastien, grew up, and has lived in Le Mans, his whole life. The water pump went out on the #1 Porsche. They had to repair it, but couldn't. A few other LMP1 cars, have not had any other problems.
A pit stop for Toyota #6 with fuel, tires, and a driver change, as Kamui Kobayashi, takes over from Mike Conway. Porsche #2 pits as well. Anthony Davidson will be the next driver into car #5. So, each stint, is 12-13 laps, (101-110 miles). Porsche #1 is in the pits again. Clearwater Racing is running well in their division at the moment. Ford remains very optimistic about their chances, trying to run down the Ferrari. The displacement between the two Ford EcoBoost V6's, for the Prototype and the GT car, is slightly different. But other than that, it's the same motor.
Joey Hand continues chasing Matteo Malucelli. Joey Hand is now within striking distance. A few years ago, Malucelli wrecked the car. But, Malucelli has always been a quick driver. He is far more mature than he once was. Don't do anything stupid. Run your pace. Focus forward. Don't fight hard, or you will throw the race away. Tbe Ferrarj and the Ford accelerate similarly. But the Ford can pull more speed on the straight. On the straight, Hamd makes the pass on Malucelli, with speed. Uncontested. You can't do anything about it. Meanwhile, back at the sharp end, Porsche is pushing.
Four hours and 24 minutes to go. Will Toyota be able to do one less pit stop compared to Porsche? It will be the difference. One mistake can cause disaster. Smoke from the #31 ESM Ligier. That could be a tire problem. Billy Johnson is really putting consistency together in his Le Mans debut, running World Endurance Championship races with CGR Ford Europe as one of the cars, runs off the road. One of the Audi's is running slower, and as we watch Kamui Kobayashi, he puts in very abrupt steering movements. Scuderia Corsa leads LM GTE Am with Townsend Bell, Bill Sweedler, and Jeff Segal.
The Audi mechanics are going to the front of the car. There's got to be something in the Energy Recovery System. Competition drives the next idea, and development as well as innovation. Toyota was nowhere last year, and look where they are now. The battle for the overall lead is within 1.2 seconds. No one has a distinct advantage, even as a better mousetrap is trying to be built. Toyota, Audi, and Porsche, are all extremely different cars. But, they are close together and it's a driver vs. driver race, as it should be. Anthony Davidson takes the lead in Mulsanne corner, where he had a major wreck years ago. Porsche is not giving up. It's a Toyota vs. Porsche race at the moment.
Just over four hours left as Marc Lieb, pits. Porsche looks like they'll need an extra pit stop before the end of this race.
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