The 6 Hours of Sao Paulo has settled into more of a rhythm now as the third hour draws to a close. Audi still maintain its lead at the head of the field, with the No.1 of André Lotterer leading Tom Kristensen in the No.2 by 18 seconds. The 2013 Le Mans-winning Dane lost the lead to his team mate after being delayed by an LMGTE Am car exiting the pits. Rebellion Racing is holding station in third place, now two laps behind the leaders.
Mike Conway in the No.26G-Drive Racing ORECA 03 Nissan is nearing the end of a mammoth triple stint behind the wheel and will hand over to Roman Rusinov with a 67 second advantage over the No.49 Pecom entry of Pierre Kaffer. The Argentinian entered, Italian run ORECA is ahead of the No.34 and 24 OAK Racing Morgan Nissans in the LMP2 category.
LMGTE Pro has continued to provide drama for some within the class, but Bruni and Fisichella’s No.51 AF Corse Ferrari is maintaining its lead over the No.97 Aston Martin Vantage of Turner-Mucke by a narrow 5 seconds. The two Porsche 911 RSRs are now third and fourth in class, the No.92 having made good progress through the field after its early race delay.
The No.61 AF Corse Ferrari entry in the LMGTE Am class has been retired with front end accident damage following its collision with the No.99 Aston Martin Vantage of Bruno Senna, while the British marque’s No.95 and No.96 cars hold a solid lead in first and second respectively. The No.88 Proton Porsche is still third in class ahead of the No.81 8Star Motorsport Ferrari 458 Italia.
RACE FACTS
15:00:57 Kristensen in #2 Audi inherits lead but will pit soon.
14:58:36 Leading #1 Audi into pitlane. Lotterer out and Treluyer in. Fuel and tyres and rejoins.
14:42:31 Spin for Krohn Ferrari #57.. rejoins.
14:41:39 The battle of the race is currently for the lead of the LM GTE Pro class as they perform their round of pit stops.
14:39:31 After 2 hours 30min, Audi lead 1-2 in LMP1 and in LMP2 G-Drive #26 Oreca Nissan leads from #49 the Pecom #49
14:36:25 51 second pit stop for #95 Aston Martin, leading LM GTE Am. Retains class lead.
14:33:14 In LM GTE Pro, AF Corse #51 leads from #97 Aston Martin
14:31:00 #95 Aston Martin still leads GTE Am and 3rd in GTE classes combined.
14:28:07 #61 AF Corse Ferrari 458 has returned to pitlane and has been pushed into pit garage. Also reported as speeding in pitlane.
14:24:26 Jack Gerber in #61 Ferrari spun on his own and hit rear of Aston Martin #98
14:21:49 Aston Martin #98 and Ferrari #61 touch and both spin.
14:18:32 After 2 hours and 16 minutes, Audi #1 still leads from sister car #2 by 10 seconds.
14:15:50 Bruno Senna said the suspension damage on #99 Aston Martin was after earlier contact with Porsche
14:14:12 Leaders expected to pit in next few laps
14:13:32 #25 Delta ADR Oreca Nissan wheeled into pit garage
14:11:04 Marc Leib (Porsche #92) said that the early problem for #92 Porsche was after contact with Ferrari #71.
14:09:17 Suspension failure reported for Aston Martin #99 was the problem for Bruno Senna.
Photo: AUTODROMO JOSE CARLOS PACE (INTERLAGOS, SAO PAULO, BRAZIL), 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO, SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2013, RACE. The No.26 G-Drive Racing ORECA Nissan leads the LMP2 class at the third hour.
