24 Hours of Le Mans recap - Ferrari claim back-to-back Le Mans victories in dramatic, rain-affected race - Eurosport (2024)

Table of Contents
FERRARI SEAL BACK-TO-BACK LE MANS VICTORIES WITH #50 LINE-UP COMING OUT TOP IN DRAMATIC RACE 15:45 THANK YOU AND GOODBYE 15:38 FUOCO POST-RACE 15:36 NIELSEN POST-RACE 15:31 KOBAYASHI POST-RACE 15:15 MOLINA POST-RACE 15:03 FERRARI DEFEND TITLE 14:58 LAST LAP 14:55 FIVE MINUTES TO GO! 14:52 #51 FERRARI GOOD FOR THIRD 14:49 JUST UNDER HALF A MINUTE AT THE FRONT 14:42 "NO RISK" FOR TOYOTA 14:41 FIGHT FOR THIRD 14:40 ENERGY CHECK 14:35 #8 TOYOTA IN 14:34 RAIN! 14:31 #5 PORSCHE IN 14:28 YELLOW! 14:25 GAPS AT THE FRONT 14:18 #7 TOYOTA IN, #51 TOYOTA TOO 14:15 FERRARI TEAM ORDER 14:12 TOYOTA IN THE LEAD 14:10 #50 FERRARI PITS 14:04 LOPEZ OFF TRACK 14:02 ENERGY CHECK 14:00 ORDER WITH ONE HOUR TO GO 13:53 FERRARI STILL IN THE LEAD 13:47 #8 TOYOTA IN 13:42 PENALTY AWARDED, STOPS SERVED 13:40 INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION 13:39 CADILLAC IN 13:35 VERY WET CONDITIONS 13:28 MORE RAIN 13:22 TOYOTA GAIN GROUND 13:18 LEADER IN 13:17 WARNING FOR #50 13:15 TOYOTA INTO SECOND 13:13 FRONT GAP INCREASES 13:10 MORE RAIN EXPECTED 13:06 LEADER WITH DOOR PROBLEMS 13:04 GAPS AT THE FRONT 13:01 #8 TOYOTA SPINS AFTER CONTACT 13:00 ORDER WITH TWO HOURS TO GO 12:58 PORSCHE SURRENDERS TO RAIN 12:55 PORSCHE STICK IT OUT 12:53 LEADERS IN 12:50 CADILLAC SWAPS TO WETS 12:49 RAIN! 12:45 RAIN EXPECTED 12:40 GAPS AT THE FRONT 12:34 HOPES VANISH FOR PORSCHE 12:27 LEADER PITS 12:24 TOYOTA IN 12:23 FERRARI REPRIMANDED 12:21 NEXT SET OF STOPS 12:15 #50 AND #51 UNDER INVESTIGATION 12:14 BIG NAMES OUT OF PROCEEDINGS 12:10 TOYOTA FASTER 12:06 CADILLAC IN 12:02 #50 CATCHES LEADER 12:00 ORDER WITH THREE HOURS TO GO 11:57 FIGHT FOR FOURTH 11:54 GAPS AT THE FRONT 11:47 RAIN! 11:43 LEADER IN 11:42 RAIN REPORTED 11:40 #8 TOYOTA IN 11:40 SLOW PUNCTURE #7 TOYOTA 11:37 STOPS NOW 11:34 GAPS AT THE FRONT 11:27 #7 TOYOTA IN, #8 TAKES THE LEAD 11:23 FERRARI SWAP 11:22 CADILLAC IN 11:18 TOYOTA PLAN DRIVER STOP 11:12 STRATEGY CHECK 11:06 TOYOTA SWAP 11:05 SITUATION AT THE FRONT 11:02 NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE #83 FERRARI 11:01 TOP THREE IN THE BOX 11:00 ORDER WITH FOUR HOURS TO GO 10:54 TOYOTA IN THE BOX 10:51 TOYOTA INTO SECOND 10:50 GREEN AGAIN 10:48 FULL COURSE YELLOW 10:47 SITUATION AT THE FRONT 10:41 PUNCTURE FOR #7 TOYOTA 10:38 CADILLAC IN THE BOX 10:35 RAIN IN 30 MINUTES 10:30 SITUATION AT THE FRONT 10:25 NOT OVER FOR FIFTH 10:21 FIGHT FOR FIFTH 10:19 GAPS AT THE FRONT 10:17 TOP 5 IN 10:12 #51 FERRARI IN THE BOX 10:10 TOP 3 BREAK 10:05 RAIN AGAIN 10:00 ORDER WITH FIVE HOURS TO GO 10:00 #5 PORSCHE PITS 09:55 FERRARI TAKE THE LEAD 09:53 #2 CADILLAC IN THE PITS 09:52 SLOW ZONE 09:51 CLOSE TOP 6 09:46 FERRARI SWAP 09:44 TECHNICAL PROBLEM FOR #7 TOYOTA 09:41 TOYOTA SWAP 09:40 #83 FERRARI COMES OUT TOP 09:36 FIGHT FOR POSITION 09:33 BACK UNDERWAY 09:32 SAFETY CAR IN THIS LAP 09:27 #3 CADILLAC IN THE BOX 09:24 ORDER BEHIND THE SAFETY CAR 09:16 PROBLEMS FOR THE #3 CADILLAC 09:14 MERGING 09:07 #93 PEUGEOT IN THE BARRIER 09:05 LEADERS IN THE BOX 09:00 ORDER WITH SIX HOURS TO GO 08:56 #7 TOYOTA IN 08:54 SAFETY CAR STILL 08:48 SITUATION BEHIND SAFETY CAR 08:43 PIT STOPS UNDER SAFETY CAR 08:36 SAFETY CAR 08:33 BATTLE FOR THIRD 08:27 TOYOTA ON THE CHARGE 08:20 #6 IN THE BOX 08:17 #4 PORSCHE IN THE GRAVEL 08:15 FIRST STOPS 08:14 THREE SECONDS AT THE FRONT 08:10 CURRENT ORDER 08:07 TEAM LINE-UPS REMINDER 08:05 WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NIGHT 08:00 GOOD MORNING!

FERRARI SEAL BACK-TO-BACK LE MANS VICTORIES WITH #50 LINE-UP COMING OUT TOP IN DRAMATIC RACE

Ferrari AF Corse defended the Le Mans 24 hours title in a dramatic and rain-affected race.

The dream seemed over for the line-up of Nicklas Nielsen, Miguel Molina and Antonio Fuoco when they were forced to an unscheduled pit stop with a flapping door in the late stages of proceedings.

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However, out of sequence, they took a gamble to not stop again in the final hour and brought P1 home with just two per cent of energy remaining.

The #7 Toyota had to settle for second while last year's champions of the #51 Ferrari completed the podium.

15:45 THANK YOU AND GOODBYE

And with that it's goodbye from us - thank you for your company through this incredible race.

It's been a wild and dramatic 24 hours of Le Mans that will sure live on in memory for a good while. Just 12 months to the next one!

15:38 FUOCO POST-RACE

"It's just amazing. We've been waiting for this moment since last year. In the end, we won it and we are just super happy. We all did a really good job since the beginning of the race, so think now is the moment to enjoy the win."

15:36 NIELSEN POST-RACE

"The worst thing for me was when they asked me to go slower because that's usually when mistakes happen. And the, honestly, the last lap was so long. They kept me updated on the gap basically all stint, so it was all about managing the gap to the car in P2. But it was a very long stint and a very long last lap for me, but we did it."

15:31 KOBAYASHI POST-RACE

"This race is always tough, we did everything that we can do. Obviously, we're missing something, it wasn't enough. We had some problems as well, but just that last bit wasn't enough.

"But I'm so proud, the whole team did everything we could.

"It's a shame for car #8, I think they had the opportunity to win as well, to be fighting with car #50. But they had the contact with car #51 and dropped back into fifth position. So obviously it's quite tough for us, but this is racing.

"We did everything, we took all the risks and we knew it was going to be a challenge. But if we never challenge, we never win. So we do our best and that is the Toyota racing philosophy, we never give up and we try until the end."

15:15 MOLINA POST-RACE

"It was amazing, we've been working really hard. Last year we were really close and since the Monday afterward we wanted to come back. We have everything, it's the best day of my career.

"Thanks to everyone, thanks to all the people who have supported me since I was young, to my family, to my parents, to my wife, to my kids, to everyone, thank you very much."

15:03 FERRARI DEFEND TITLE

The #50 Ferrari takes the chequered flag and brings victory home, defending the trophy.

14:58 LAST LAP

It's the final lap of the Le Mans 24 hours. Ten per cent of energy remain for Nielsen and some lifting and coasting will likely be required.

14:55 FIVE MINUTES TO GO!

Just five minutes left and, barring disaster, Ferrari should have it covered with 14 per cent energy remaining and a comfortable gap to the #7 Toyota.

14:52 #51 FERRARI GOOD FOR THIRD

The #51 Ferrari has been getting under pressure from the #6 Porsche for third but looks to have shaken off its opponent.

14:49 JUST UNDER HALF A MINUTE AT THE FRONT

Nielsen has 28 seconds in his favour at the moment. He will have to be careful though with the remaining time since an additional lap after the 24 hours could see the Ferrari run out of fuel.

14:42 "NO RISK" FOR TOYOTA

Lopez is told by his team to not take any risks and bring P2 home - will he listen though? He is still running faster than the leading Ferrari.

14:41 FIGHT FOR THIRD

The #6 Porsche is reeling in the #51 Ferrari and challenging for a podium finish.

14:40 ENERGY CHECK

The #50 Ferrari should be able to make it to the end of the race without another stop, but the question is around what pace they can run. The #7 Toyota is taking up to five seconds per lap out of them and the gap is on 33.

14:35 #8 TOYOTA IN

And there is the expected stop from the #8 Toyota.

14:34 RAIN!

The yellow flag is removed, but we have rain coming down again and it's looking fairly heavy.

14:31 #5 PORSCHE IN

The #5 Porsche comes in and with the the only car within the top eight we're definitely still expecting a pit stop from is the #8 Toyota.

14:28 YELLOW!

A GT3 is stranded on track and yellow flags are out.

14:25 GAPS AT THE FRONT

The #50 Ferrari holds 34 seconds over the #8 Toyota - which will still need to pit - and another nine over the #7 Toyota. If they can get to the end, and it's looking increasingly likely that they can, it's advantage Ferrari.

14:18 #7 TOYOTA IN, #51 TOYOTA TOO

The leader comes in, so does the #51 runner-up. They will be fuelling up to the level they need to get through to the end of the race.

14:15 FERRARI TEAM ORDER

The #51 is ordered to let its #50 sister car past.

14:12 TOYOTA IN THE LEAD

And with the Ferrari stop, the #7 Toyota is back in the lead. Nielsen has set some unreal sector times though and is only 22 seconds behind in the #50 Ferrari.

14:10 #50 FERRARI PITS

Here's the #50 Ferrari for its stop from a 50 seconds lead. Fuel only, no new tyres, no driver swap. They rejoin in third - the question is if they can go to the end from here.

14:04 LOPEZ OFF TRACK

Lopez steers the #7 Toyota through the gravel. Fortunately, he only loses time and can rejoin no problem.

14:02 ENERGY CHECK

Looking at the virtual energy, it appears that getting through the rest of the race with just one stop will be very difficult for the leading #50 Ferrari but maybe just about possible.

Everyone else should be able to manage with just one more stop.

14:00 ORDER WITH ONE HOUR TO GO

  • 1. #50 Ferrari
  • 2. #7 Toyota
  • 3. #51 Ferrari
  • 4. #6 Porsche
  • 5. #8 Toyota
  • 6. #2 Cadillac
  • 7. #5 Porsche
  • 8. #12 Jota Porsche

13:53 FERRARI STILL IN THE LEAD

After the extra pit stop due to the flapping door, the #50 Ferrari, currently leading the race, will need to pit earlier than the other front runners but still find themselves in a comfortable-ish position, especially if the track continues to dry.

13:47 #8 TOYOTA IN

The #8 Toyota is in the pits and Hartley hands over the Buemi.

13:42 PENALTY AWARDED, STOPS SERVED

It's a five-seconds penalty for the #51 Ferrari for sending the #8 Toyota spinning out of contention which seems like a light sentence.

A number of cars come in for pit stops, including the #51 Ferrari, and the #50 Ferrari - off sequence - is back in the lead.

13:40 INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION

The incident involving the #51 Ferrari and #8 Toyota is now officially under investigation - 40 minutes after it occurred.

13:39 CADILLAC IN

Lynn enters pit lane and Palou takes over. In the current conditions, they have to go out on wets again and possibly stop again later for slicks should the track dry up.

13:35 VERY WET CONDITIONS

Parts of the track are properly wet now, but it looks to have stopped raining and there is a chance things will dry up fairly swiftly.

13:28 MORE RAIN

More rain is coming down now - fortunately, everyone is still on wet tyres anyway.

13:22 TOYOTA GAIN GROUND

Lopez is pulling away at the front in the #7 Toyota. The #51 Ferrari is second from the #2 Cadillac.

13:18 LEADER IN

And indeed the #50 Ferrari comes in to sort out the flapping door. They rejoin the race in fifth and are now effectively off sequence with the pit stops. The #7 Toyota takes over the lead.

13:17 WARNING FOR #50

Indeed, the leading #50 Ferrari is informed that if Nielson can't shut the flapping door, they will need to come in.

13:15 TOYOTA INTO SECOND

Lopez pulls out of the slipstream and dives past Pier Guidi into runner-up spot. The Toyota immediately gains ground.

13:13 FRONT GAP INCREASES

The #50 Ferrari is gaining ground over the #51 who, in turn, is getting under a lot of pressure from the #7 Toyota.

13:10 MORE RAIN EXPECTED

The forecast indicates more heavy rain to come in 10 to 15 minutes.

13:06 LEADER WITH DOOR PROBLEMS

Some issues for the leading #50 Ferrari who have a flapping door. If Nielsen can't fix the issue on track, they will likely need to pit.

13:04 GAPS AT THE FRONT

The #50 Ferrari leads by 18 seconds over its #51 sister car. The #7 Toyota follows five seconds behind, four more to the #2 Cadillac, another eight to the #6 Porsche, and a further 20 back is the #8 Toyota.

13:01 #8 TOYOTA SPINS AFTER CONTACT

Significant moment as Hartley goes spinning in the #8 Toyota as the #51 Ferrari behind him makes contact. There may well be a penalty for the Ferrari to follow.

24 Hours of Le Mans recap - Ferrari claim back-to-back Le Mans victories in dramatic, rain-affected race - Eurosport (1)

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13:00 ORDER WITH TWO HOURS TO GO

  • 1. #50 Ferrari
  • 2. #8 Toyota
  • 3. #51 Ferrari
  • 4. #7 Toyota
  • 5. #2 Cadillac
  • 6. #6 Porsche
  • 7. #12 Jota Porsche
  • 8. #38 Jota Porsche

12:58 PORSCHE SURRENDERS TO RAIN

The #6 Porsche does come in after all for wets.

12:55 PORSCHE STICK IT OUT

The #6 Porsche is sticking it out on slicks for the time being and takes over the race lead.

12:53 LEADERS IN

Both the #50 Ferrari and the #8 Toyota come in for wets, so does the #51 Ferrari and the #7 Toyota.

Massive problems though for the #8 Toyota who struggle to get off the front right tyre and lose time. A possible unsafe release from the #50 Ferrari follows - chaos in pit lane!

12:50 CADILLAC SWAPS TO WETS

The #2 Cadillac comes in for a scheduled stop. There are wet tyres prepared and they indeed make the swap over.

The #12 Jota Porsche too opts for wets.

12:49 RAIN!

It's not too heavy yet, but rain is coming down around start/finish. The forecast suggests it could intensify.

Meanwhile, Hartley has caught Molina and we have the Ferrari and Toyota close together at the front.

12:45 RAIN EXPECTED

The forecast is indicating rain any time now and it could be heavy.

12:40 GAPS AT THE FRONT

It's five seconds between the leading #50 Ferrari and the #8 Toyota. The #51 Ferrari follows a further 13 seconds back.

12:34 HOPES VANISH FOR PORSCHE

The #6 Porsche is running a peculiar strategy at the moment, swapping tyres and drivers at every stop. The team admitted that they currently don't have the pace for the top - rain is their only hope.

12:27 LEADER PITS

Now the #50 Ferrari pits from the lead - fuel only, no new tyres, no driver swap. They rejoin the race and hold on to the lead.

12:24 TOYOTA IN

And there's the #8 Toyota in the pits, the #7 follows suit. Fuel only for both - the #8 rejoins the track in second, only the #50 Ferrari ahead of them which will need to come in soon.

Crucially, the off sequence Cadillac did not regain the lead this time.

12:23 FERRARI REPRIMANDED

It's a reprimand only for the two #50 and #51 Ferrari who were under investigation for a technical infringement.

12:21 NEXT SET OF STOPS

Stops again as the #51 Ferrari and #6 Porsche come in. Fuel only for the Ferrari, full service with a driver swap for Porsche.

12:15 #50 AND #51 UNDER INVESTIGATION

Suspected technical infringements from the factory Ferrari and they are both under investigation.

12:14 BIG NAMES OUT OF PROCEEDINGS

The 24 hours of Le Mans tend to claim victims and, again, a number of big names are already out of proceedings, among them Valentino Rossi and Mick Schumacher.

Read all about it here.

12:10 TOYOTA FASTER

The #8 Toyota in second, currently steered by Brendon Hartley, is marginally faster than Miguel Molina who leads in the #50 Ferrari at the moment. The gap sits on eight seconds.

12:06 CADILLAC IN

The #50 Ferrari won't need to do it on track as the #2 Cadillac pits from the lead. It's a big service with a driver swap as Alex Lynn takes over.

12:02 #50 CATCHES LEADER

The #50 Ferrari is reeling in the #2 Cadillac. The gap is now down to less than four seconds.

12:00 ORDER WITH THREE HOURS TO GO

  • 1. #2 Cadillac
  • 2. #50 Ferrari
  • 3. #8 Toyota
  • 4. #51 Ferrari
  • 5. #6 Porsche
  • 6. #7 Toyota
  • 7. #12 Jota Porsche
  • 8. #5 Porsche

11:57 FIGHT FOR FOURTH

It's Estre versus Pier Guidi for fourth. The Porsche remains in front for now, but the Ferrari looks the faster car and it's a question of when rather than if.

11:54 GAPS AT THE FRONT

The off sequence #2 Cadillac is leading the race by seven seconds over the #50 Ferrari who is currently pulling away from the #8 Toyota, the gap on 12 seconds. The #6 Porsche and #51 Ferrari are a further 13 seconds back.

11:47 RAIN!

There is some rain now, but it is very light.

11:43 LEADER IN

And there's the expected stop from the #50 Ferrari who pits from the lead. They rejoin the track in second, behind the #2 Cadillac but, crucially, ahead of the #8 Toyota, albeit only by two seconds.

11:42 RAIN REPORTED

Some spots of rain have been spotted at parts of the track.

11:40 #8 TOYOTA IN

There's the stop from the #8 Toyota; the #50 Ferrari stays out for now.

11:40 SLOW PUNCTURE #7 TOYOTA

It's a slow puncture for the #7 Toyota but it's well handled and they're fortunately close to pit lane.

11:37 STOPS NOW

The #51 Ferrari and #6 Porsche kick off the pit stops at the front. They rejoin in seventh and eighth with the Porsche swiftly getting the better of the Ferrari.

11:34 GAPS AT THE FRONT

It's the #8 Toyota eight seconds ahead of the #50 Ferrari who is leading it's sister #51 car by five seconds. The #6 Porsche follows another 11 seconds behind.

Pit stops are imminent at the front though.

11:27 #7 TOYOTA IN, #8 TAKES THE LEAD

One Toyota comes in - Kobayashi having squeezed everything out of the #7 - and another takes over in the lead, the #8 Toyota now heading proceedings.

11:23 FERRARI SWAP

The #50 Ferrari is released and slots past its #51 sister car into third and eyes up the Toyota eight seconds ahead.

11:22 CADILLAC IN

And there is the stop for the off sequence #2 Cadillac. leaving the #7 Toyota in the lead for now. Kobayashi is putting in some insane sector times at the moment.

11:18 TOYOTA PLAN DRIVER STOP

Big service imminent for the #7 Toyota with Jose Maria Lopez preparing to take the wheel.

11:12 STRATEGY CHECK

The two leading cars - the #2 Cadillac and #7 Toyota - are off sequence and will need to pit soon. That would leave the #8 Toyota in the virtual race lead.

However, Alex Palou is doing a fabulous job in the Cadillac at the moment, staying below the average he needs.

11:06 TOYOTA SWAP

The #7 Toyota with Kobayashi slots past its #8 sister car, steered by Buemi, into second.

11:05 SITUATION AT THE FRONT

The #2 Cadillac - off sequence - has taken back over in the lead - they hold six seconds over the #8 Toyota who are being shadowed by their #7 sister car. The #51 Ferrari follows another eight seconds back with the #50 sister car another three seconds behind.

Meanwhile, the #83 Privateer Ferrari is officially out of the race.

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11:02 NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE #83 FERRARI

The #83 Privateer Ferrari is being vacated with a suspected technical problem. This looks like game over for them.

11:01 TOP THREE IN THE BOX

The two Ferrari and the #6 Porsche come in for their stops. It's trouble for the #83 privateer Ferrari with clouds of smoke emerging from the car and they remain stationary.

11:00 ORDER WITH FOUR HOURS TO GO

  • 1. #50 Ferrari
  • 2. #83 Ferrari
  • 3. #6 Porsche
  • 4. #38 Jota Porsche
  • 5. #2 Cadillac
  • 6. #8 Toyota
  • 7. #7 Toyota
  • 8. #51 Ferrari

10:54 TOYOTA IN THE BOX

And there's the first pit stop among the front runners - the #8 Toyota comes in.

10:51 TOYOTA INTO SECOND

Buemi persists and pulls off a neat move around the outside of the #83 Ferrari to slot into runner-up spot. Both of them have reeled in the leading #50 Ferrari.

10:50 GREEN AGAIN

The FCY is removed and we're racing again. Buemi tries to capitalise and get a jump into second, but Shwartzman holds firm.

10:48 FULL COURSE YELLOW

An LMGT3 car is stranded on track and a full course yellow is called.

Meanwhile, the top seven cars are low on projected energy and will need to pit soon - will they make use of the FCY to save time?

10:47 SITUATION AT THE FRONT

The #50 Ferrari holds around four seconds of an advantage over the #83 Ferrari and #8 Toyota duo that's glued together on track. Buemi is looking for a chance to strike, but just can't find a way past Shwartzman in the privateer Ferrari.

The #6 Porsche is a good bit further behind.

10:41 PUNCTURE FOR #7 TOYOTA

The #7 Toyota is forced to a pit stop with a puncture. They rejoin the field in 10th.

10:38 CADILLAC IN THE BOX

There's the next stop for the #2 Cadillac - full service including a driver swap. They rejoin in ninth.

10:35 RAIN IN 30 MINUTES

We are expecting the next rain showers in half an hour from now.

10:30 SITUATION AT THE FRONT

The gap at the front is getting slightly bigger with the #2 Cadillac now 11 seconds ahead of the #50 Ferrari - remember though that the Cadillac is off sequence. The #83 Ferrari and #8 Toyota follow another five seconds behind.

10:25 NOT OVER FOR FIFTH

The #7 Toyota have evidentially sorted out their technical gremlins as Kobayashi keeps challenging the #6 Porsche.

10:21 FIGHT FOR FIFTH

It's getting feisty for P5 as the #6 Porsche and #7 Toyota are trading punches. Kobayashi briefly takes the advantage, but Estre retaliates straight away and keeps the Porsche ahead.

10:19 GAPS AT THE FRONT

The #2 Cadillac leads by just over eight seconds versus the #50 Ferrari. The #83 Ferrari and #8 Porsche are glued together another 11 seconds back.

10:17 TOP 5 IN

All top five cars head into the pits. It's fuel only for the previous top three of the #50 and #83 Ferrari and the #8 Toyota - the order remains the same between them, but the #2 Cadillac - out of sequence - slots in ahead of them as they rejoin the track.

10:12 #51 FERRARI IN THE BOX

The #51 Ferrari kicks off the next set of pit stops. They get a full service with new tyres and a driver swap. The #12 Jota Porsche is in too.

10:10 TOP 3 BREAK

The top three (#50 Ferrari, #83 Ferrari, #8 Toyota) are pulling away from their chasers, the gap to fourth now up to six seconds.

10:05 RAIN AGAIN

We're expecting some imminent rain, but it's forecast to be very light and shouldn't impact proceedings.

10:00 ORDER WITH FIVE HOURS TO GO

  • 1. #50 Ferrari
  • 2. #83 Ferrari
  • 3. #8 Toyota
  • 4. #6 Porsche
  • 5. #7 Toyota
  • 6. #51 Ferrari
  • 7. #38 Jota Porsche
  • 8. #12 Jota Porsche

10:00 #5 PORSCHE PITS

And there's the expected pit stop for the #5 Porsche.

09:55 FERRARI TAKE THE LEAD

Not waiting for the Porsche to pit, the #50 Ferrari gets the job done on track and claims the lead.

09:53 #2 CADILLAC IN THE PITS

The race leader heads into the pits - they and the #5 Porsche are on a slightly different rhythm than the rest of the front group. The #5 takes over the lead for the time being, but expect them to come in soon.

09:52 SLOW ZONE

The top group are passing a slow zone called to tidy the track.

09:51 CLOSE TOP 6

The top six are still close together with one-second gaps between them. The #7 Toyota, dealing with some gremlins, follows more than five seconds behind.

09:46 FERRARI SWAP

The #50 Ferrari claims it's #83 privateer sister car for third. The #7 Toyota is right behind the duo.

09:44 TECHNICAL PROBLEM FOR #7 TOYOTA

Indeed, the #7 Toyota confirm that they have a technical problem.

09:41 TOYOTA SWAP

The #8 Toyota overtakes the #7 Toyota who looks to be in a bit of trouble, also falling behind the #6 Porsche.

09:40 #83 FERRARI COMES OUT TOP

After some paint swapping, the #83 Ferrari claims P3.

09:36 FIGHT FOR POSITION

The #2 Cadillac and #5 Porsche are in P1 and and 2 and gaining a slight bit of breathing space as things are getting feisty for P3. It's the #50 Ferrari versus the #83 Ferrari with the #7 Toyota also in the mix.

09:33 BACK UNDERWAY

The race restarts and Earl Bamber heads the field in the #2 Cadillac.

09:32 SAFETY CAR IN THIS LAP

We're about to go back to racing imminently.

09:27 #3 CADILLAC IN THE BOX

Dixon somehow nurses the #3 Cadillac back to the box but spills quite a bit of oil in the process. The car keeps dripping oil.

09:24 ORDER BEHIND THE SAFETY CAR

The #2 Cadillac is P1 ahead of the #5 Porsche, #83 Ferrari and #50 Ferrari. The #7 Toyota follows in fifth with the previous top duo of the #6 Porsche and #8 Toyota following.

09:16 PROBLEMS FOR THE #3 CADILLAC

Scott Dixon briefly stops on track but is able to get the #3 Cadillac going again, albeit very slowly with engine issues and use of electric power only. The car will need to be called back, the question is if Dixon can somehow make it to pit lane.

09:14 MERGING

The safety cars are now merging.

09:07 #93 PEUGEOT IN THE BARRIER

Running in 15th behind the safety car, the #93 Peugeot hits the barrier. It looks like they might have slipped on a wet patch on track. The car needs to be recovered and it's game over for the team.

09:05 LEADERS IN THE BOX

And now the cars running first and second, the #6 Porsche and #8 Toyota, come in for stops. It's a full service all around with new tyres and a driver swap with Kevin Estre and Sebastien Buemi at the wheels. They will need to wait for Safety Car B to rejoin the race and the #2 Cadillac will become the new race leader.

09:00 ORDER WITH SIX HOURS TO GO

  • 1. #6 Porsche
  • 2. #8 Toyota
  • 3. #2 Cadillac
  • 4. #5 Porsche
  • 5. #83 Ferrari
  • 6. #50 Ferrari
  • 7. #7 Toyota
  • 8. #51 Ferrari

08:56 #7 TOYOTA IN

The #7 Toyota heads for a pit stop under the safety car - full service with new tyres and a driver swap, Kamui Kobayashi taking over from Nyck de Vries. They will rejoin the track with the B Safety Car.

08:54 SAFETY CAR STILL

The crane is still on track to recover the LMGT3 car and the safety car continues.

08:48 SITUATION BEHIND SAFETY CAR

The top three of the #6 Porsche and the #8 and #7 Toyota are separated by mere seconds behind the safety car, However, the next car in fourth, the #2 Cadillac, is more than two minutes behind, trailing the B Safety Car together with the #5 Porsche, #83 Ferrari and #50 Ferrari. Then, the cars from eighth downwards are behind Safety Car C another two minutes behind.

08:43 PIT STOPS UNDER SAFETY CAR

The #50 and #83 Ferrari kick off a series of pit stops under the safety car. Remember, you are not allowed to just rejoin the track under safety car conditions, you have to wait for the next safety car that passes.

08:36 SAFETY CAR

Heavy incident for the #27 LMGT3 who hits the tyre barrier just before Indianapolis, flips, and is left upside down on track. Fortunately, Daniel Mancinelli is able to vacate the car by himself and looks reasonable unharmed.

08:33 BATTLE FOR THIRD

The #7 Toyota is holding on to third for now, but both the #50 and the #83 Ferrari are shadowing him and are seeking a chance to strike.

08:27 TOYOTA ON THE CHARGE

The #6 Porsche is leading by 18 seconds after the pit stops, but the #8 Toyota in second is currently running faster and gradually chipping away on the gap.

08:20 #6 IN THE BOX

Having inherited P1 when the #8 Porsche came in, the #6 Porsche pits from the lead for slicks. They rejoin the track still in front.

08:17 #4 PORSCHE IN THE GRAVEL

Felipe Nasr hits the kerbs just before Indianapolis and loses control of the #4 Porsche, hits the barrier, and finds himself stranded in the gravel. A slow zone is called, the car will have to be recovered and it's game over for the team.

08:15 FIRST STOPS

The first cars are coming in for slicks, among them the race leading #8 Toyota.

08:14 THREE SECONDS AT THE FRONT

The #6 Porsche had been reeling in the leading Toyota and brought the gap down to less than three seconds. However, the gap is starting to marginally increase again now.

08:10 CURRENT ORDER

  • 1. #8 Toyota
  • 2. #6 Porsche
  • 3. #50 Ferrari
  • 4. #83 Ferrari
  • 5. #2 Cadillac
  • 6. #5 Porsche
  • 7. #51 Ferrari
  • 8. #12 Jota Porsche

08:07 TEAM LINE-UPS REMINDER

The following line-ups are racing for the 23 factory and customer cars (racing number, team name (manufacturer): driver line-up):

#2, Cadillac Racing (Cadillac Factory): Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Alex Palou

#3, Cadillac Racing (Cadillac Factory): Sebastien Bourdais, Scott Dixon, Renger van der Zande

#4, Porsche Penske Motorsport (Porsche Factory): Mathieu Jaminet, Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy

#5, Porsche Penske Motorsport (Porsche Factory): Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, Frederic Makowiecki

#6, Porsche Penske Motorsport (Porsche Factory): Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor

#7, Toyota Gazoo Racing (Toyota Factory): Kamui Kobayashi, Jose Maria Lopez, Nyck de Vries

#8, Toyota Gazoo Racing (Toyota Factory): Sebastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa

#11, Isotta Fraschini (Isotta Fraschini Factory): Carl Bennett, Antonio Serravalle, Jean-Karl Vernay

#12, Hertz Team Jota (Porsche Customer): Callum Ilott, Norman Nato, Will Stevens

#15, BMW M Team WRT (BMW Factory): Raffaele Marciello, Dries Vanthoor, Marco Wittman

#19, Lamborghini Iron Lynx (Lamborghini Factory): Matteo Cairoli, Andrea Caldarelli, Romain Grosjean

#20, BMW M Team WRT (BMW Factory): Robin Frijns, Rene Rast, Sheldon van der Linde

#35, Alpine Endurance Team (Alpine Factory): Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg, Charles Milesi

#36, Alpine Endurance Team (Alpine Factory): Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere

#38, Hertz Team Jota (Porsche Customer): Jenson Button, Phil Hanson, Oliver Rasmussen

#50, Ferrari AF Corse (Ferrari Factory): Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen

#51, Ferrari AF Corse (Ferrari Factory): James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi

#63, Lamborghini Iron Lynx (Lamborghini Factory): Mirko Bortolotti, Daniil Kvyat, Edoardo Mortara

#83, Ferrari AF Corse (Ferrari Factory): Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman, Yifei Ye

#93, Peugeot TotalEnergies (Peugeot Factory): Mikkel Jensen, Nico Muller, Jean-Eric Vergne

#94, Peugeot TotalEnergies (Peugeot Factory): Paul di Resta, Loic Duval, Stoffel Vandoorne

#99, Proton Competition (Porsche Customer): Julien Andlauer, Neel Jani, Harry Tincknell

#311, Whelen Cadillac Racing (Cadillac Customer): Jack Aitken, Pipo Derani, Felipe Drugovich

08:05 WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NIGHT

In short: not an awful lot. The safety car came out and stayed out for four and a half hours with the rain coming down heavily. When the safety car retired around an hour ago, near enough the whole field pitted straight away for a new set of wet tyres.

08:00 GOOD MORNING!

Good morning and thank you for joining our live text coverage of Sunday at the Le Mans 24 hours race. We left last night with the #8 Toyota in the lead and they still hold the front of the race after a lenghty safety car last night. However, the #6 Porsche is marginally quicker at the moment and with the track now drying, pit stops and tyre swaps are imminent. Who will be at the top and claim the trophy in 17 hours from now?

- - -

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