We watch LMP2 action as Alex Brundle wiggles on corner exit. LMP2 cars are in the way of the LMP1 leaders. Olivier Pla pitted Ford #66 and both left side tires were changed. Brendon Hartley has now gone to second place. Toyota continues to lead this motor race. Fuel only for the #67 Ford GT with Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell. Strategy is fascinating as we are beginning the second hour now. Some of the FIA WEC regulars have been doing well racing in Formula E in New York City this weekend.
Jackie Chan DC Racing are the meat in a Rebellion sandwich in LMP2. The #38 car won Le Mans and of course Rbeellion were disqualified. Ferrari #51 in the lane. Alessandro Pier Guidi takes over from James Calado. A lead change now in LMP2, too. Does Bruno Senna have a problem? At least it is dry here at the Nurburgring. The great, 16 mile Nordschleife was opened way back in 1927. Oliver Jarvis once again, leads Bruno Senna in LMP2. Brendon Hartley is chasing the Toyota, with Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez, at the wheel of the leading Toyota. "Pechito" is starting to run at full strength for the first time in 2017.
The left/right series of corners before they plunge downull here at the Nurburgring is spectacular. But remember, this is the new track, that was built in the mid 1980s. These cars are not plug-in hybrids like a Tesla. But, FIA WEC brass may want to change the cars to plug-in hybrids in the not too distant future. There has been a change for the overall lead. Brendon Hartley pressures Jose Maria Loppez, and Hartley is the one to take the lead as Porsche wants a win on home soil. Brendon and Timo won last year, along with Mark Webber who is now an ambassador to Porsche.
Jose Maria Lopez is beginning to show the form and why he deserves to be racing with them. Ferrari and Ford battle for third in LM GTE Pro. Alessandro Pier Guidi vs. Olivier Pla. Richard Lietz is now in the #91 Porsche. Andy Priaulx has lost a spot. Porsche is 1-2 in LM GTE Pro as well as in LMP1. So, the home crowd will be happy right now. Kevin Estre is the leader in LM GTE Pro in the #92 Porsche. Porsche now is 1-2 in LMP1 and LM GTE Pro. Jose Maria Lopez is a bit rattled after losing his lead. He wants to go back around, and there's a Ford GT in the way as we come to the back section of the course.
Brendon Hartley is pulling a gap as Neel Jani and Jose Maria Lopez scrap with each other. The pendulum has now swung back in Porsche's favor at least at this moment. Lopez is still mightily pushing, however. He's not letting Neel Jani out of his sight. Two laps behind these chaps, is the lead battle in LMP2. Paul Dalla Lana and Pedro Lamy in the #97 Aston Martin still lead LM GTE Am over the Clearwater Racing Ferrari. Francesco Castellaci, Thomas Flohr, and Miguel Molina are the drivers in #54. In the lane now are LMP2 cars. Signatech Alpine is one, not sure who nth other is. It's Ben Hanley, actually. But, yours truly is no0t sure which driver lineup he is a part of.
Oliver Jarvis continues to lead LMP2. Porsche #2 leads the championship by 17 points. Oliver Jarvis, and then Andy Priaulx and Harry Tincknell, without Pippo Derani for the rest of the year. Aston Martin still leads LM GTE Am. Both Jackie Chan DC Racing cars are in the pits. Actually, it was just the #38. Romain Rusinov is now at the wheel of the #26 G-Drive entry that was of course penalized and elayed when the race began. Nicky Thiim passes Olivier Pla for fifth in class in LM GTE Pro.
One of the Rebellion entries tries to pass the LM GTE Pro battle. Ho Pin Tung is now at the wheel of the #38 car. Jarvis didn't want Tung in the seat and then having to adjust the seat belts. Darren Turner makes his way past Ford #66 and Nicky Thiim does so to Ford #67. The Aston Martin's are really pressing on well here. Ford didn't take tires. Aston Martin, did take tires. In the meantime. Neel Jani is catching Brendon Hartley and Jose Maria Lopez is still in the fight. David Heinemeier-Hanson has the wheel of the #13 Rebellion car right now in LMP2.
Rushing down the hill once again, Toyota is playing catch ip, still, to the Porsche duo at the sharp end of this motor race. The grip of these LMP1 rockets are amazing. Someone build an LMP1-LMP2 two seat racer to give the fans a chance to check it out! Andreas Seidl looking on, the Porsche team boss. Dear me! One of the Manor's has gone off the road! Who is it? It has to be Roberto Merhi in the first of the Manor's. Neel Jani closes in on Brendon Hartley for the race lead. The lead battle continues. If there was a Balance of Performance in the big LMP1 class, well, it would be underway.
Rain lights are on because it was declared a wet race evne though there is non moisture out on the road at the moment. There's mist out there in the Eiffel Mountains. Brendon Hartley is fending off the challenge of Neel Jani, as Porsche continues to try drawing away from Toyota. Jonathan Hirschi is now at the wheel of the #24 CEFC Manor LMP2 car. Through the Michael Schumacher S. The Tockwith Motorsports Ligieris having issues. There seems to be a leaking master cylinder on that car. So, brake problems are obvious. More drama in LMP2 with a three way fight between David Heinemeier Hanson, Tristan Gommendy, and another driver. Not sure who it is at the moment.
There's nothing in it between the two Porsche's. 61 laps done and dusted here at the Nurburgring. So, we've completed around 190 miles so far. Oversteer for Jose Maria Lopez in the Toyota. Lopez is learning how to drive an LMP1 car. Pressure on from Neel Jani. Pit stops are imminent. Who will blink first? Once again, this race seems to just be flying by. We're nearly at the end of another hour. Porsche has just made another pit stop. 57 seconds duration. Fuel only. Olivier Pla is in and Stefan Mucke will take over the #66 Ford GT. Brendon Hartley and Jose Maria Lopez pit as well. No tires for the Porsche or the Toyota. Porsche #1 did not change tires either.
The order stays the same. Porsche stays second. Toyota stays third. Amazing teamwork at the top level that is LMP1. Toyota #8 is ahead of Brendon Hartley, but is four laps down. Sebastien Buemi is knocking on the door of the top ten. We'll hit the 1/3rd mark in this race very soon as the LMP2 battle continues with their Oreca cars and Gibson V8 engines. Neel Jani continues to lead this race. The nw Michel Vaillante cartoon was being drawn during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Wow! The Porsche's are beginning to pull away. Signatech Alpine goes to the garage.
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