LM24 12 Hour Report: Toyota and Ferrari still on top

So far, there have been three safety car periods and eight retirements (out of a total 59 entries). Despite rain being forecast, the track has so far remained dry.

LMP1
•    No. 7 Toyota TS050 Hybrid has led the LMP1 field since the seventh hour with Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi now at the helm
•    The sister No. 8 car is one full lap behind after spending a lengthy stint in the pits for a full front right brake change just before the race’s seventh hour
•    Third and fourth place occupied by Rebellion Racing’s No. 3 and No.1 Rebellion R13 Gibson cars – the Swiss team not yet able to catch the Hybrid powered Toyotas
•    ByKolles Racing retired in the race’s eighth hour.  The No. 4 Enso CLM P1/01 lost eight laps due to an early alternator problem, with further problems to follow when Bruno Spengler went off the track shortly after

LMGTE Pro
•    AF Corse Ferrari enjoying a closely-fought battle with LMGTE Pro title rivals Aston Martin Racing 
•    The No. 51 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo of James Calado has a 6 second lead over the No. 97 Aston Martin Racing entry with Alex Lynn taking over from Harry Tincknell 
•    No.71 Ferrari 488 GTE EVO was running third before a right-rear puncture in the 11th hour relegated the crew to sixth. Bird managed to get the car back to the pits where the AF Corse spent significant time repairing the rear of the car
•    The Porsche GT Team entries have had a difficult race so far with the No. 91 and No. 92 cars fifth and eight respectively.  The No. 92 Porsche 911 RSR – 19 dropped to the bottom of the leaderboard after a stint in the pits fixing the car’s power steering 

LMP2
•    WEC category leaders United Autosports dominate the LMP2 category, the No. 32 and No. 22 ORECA 07 Gibsons first and second in class
•    Will Owen in the No. 32 car currently 31s ahead of Paul Di Resta in the sister car
•    JOTA’s No. 38 entry round out the top three in LMP2 with Anthony Davidson at the wheel going into the race’s 13th hour
•    Early leaders Jackie Chan DC Racing encountered difficulties in seventh hour when the No. 37 ORECA driven by Gabriel Aubry ground to a halt coming out of Arnage.  The car eventually returned to the pits where the team worked hard to repair the damage.  However, the car was later disqualified by the stewards for having received outside assistance before returning to the pits.
•    No. 29 Racing Team Nederland continues to struggle with intermittent engine problems
•    No. 36 Signatech Alpine Elf entry continues to climb the leaderboard after early water pressure problems. The French squad are currently eighth overall, one spot ahead of the No. 42 Cool Racing entry

In LMP2, it's @UnitedAutosport @UnitedAutosport and so the @UnitedAutosport No.22 is taking the lead! #WEC #LeMans24 pic.twitter.com/ZmSwiBPk2D

— WEC (@FIAWEC) September 20, 2020

LMGTE Am
•    Aston Martin Racing continues to lead the LMGTE Am category after a near-perfect performance from the No. 98 trio made up of Paul Dalla Lana, Ross Gunn and Agusto Farfus
•    Just 1s behind is the No.90 TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage – both cars enjoying an extremely close battle for the top spot
•    Third in class is the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo now with Emmanuel Collard at the wheel
•    No.56 Team Project 1 Porsche 911 still in close podium contention with Egidio Perfetti driving going into the 13th hour
•    No. 55 Spirit of Race and No. 52 AF Corse entries have both retired from the race

All timings can be found HERE.