Toyota is in command at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2016 after 7 hours of racing, leading two Porsche 919 Hybrids while Audi’s best car is currently running fifth. Meanwhile, Ford is leading the GT class with two of its new GT cars, they also have the fastest times of the session so far despite carrying an additional 10 kg imposed by ACO through Balance of Performance changes yesterday.
24 Hours of Le Mans 2016 Results after 7 Hours
LMP1 Class
P1: #6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid
P2: #2 Porsche 919 Hybrid
P3: #1 Porsche 919 Hybrid
LMP2 Class
P1: #46 Thiriet by TDS Racing
P2: #36 Signatech Alpine
P3: #26 G-Drive Racing Oreca-05
LMGTE-Pro
P1: #68 Ford GT – Chip Ganassi
P2: #69 Ford GT – Chip Ganassi
P3: #82 Ferrari 488 GTB – Risi Competizione
LMGTE-Am
P1: #98 Aston Martin Racing Vantage V8
P2: #88 Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing Porsche 911 RSR
P3: #62 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 Italia
[Photos by Rajan Jangda]
The #6 Toyota TS050 Hybrid of Mike Conway, Stéphane Sarrazin and Kamui Kobayashi has managed to lead the race for most part of the seven hours so far. The team also have the fastest time with a 3:21.445 lap, which is marginally quicker than any car on the field. The race was flagged off by Brad Pitt under the safety car, due to heavy rains marking the first safety car start in the history of 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Behind the Toyota, Porsche holds P2 and P3 with the #2 and #1 Porsche 919 Hybrids while the other Toyota is in fourth. Audi ‘s best position so far is fifth, with the #8 Audi R18 of Lucas Di Grassi. The #7 sister car suffered a turbocharger problem that delayed it in the pits, costing them seven laps in the process. However, the car has managed to climb up the order and is currently P7 with Andre Lotterer at the wheel. LMP1 privateer cars are having a hard day too, Rebellion Racing suffered an engine misfire with one car but the #13 car is running strong in P6.
Manor has led the LMP2 field for most part of the race within the first seven hours but lost the lead to Thiriet by TDS Racing, an ELMS team.
Ford is the leader of the LMGTE-Pro field, not only do they have the fastest cars but they are also running a heavier car than what they had in qualifying. Changes were made by ACO yesterday after certain teams were found to be sandbagging, Ferrari and Ford have an additional 15 and 10 kilos respectively. The #68 Ford GT leads the #69 sister car, while the #82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTB is third behind the Americans.
Down further the AM class, Abu-Dhabi Proton Racing has held the lead for quite some time now with the #88 Porsche 911 RSR. Second in this class is the #98 Aston Martin Vantage leading the #62 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 Italia. (Update, as i type this, the #98 Aston is now first in this class)
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