24H Le Mans H+8 | G-Drive Racing and United Autosports wheel to wheel

The start of the 88th 24 Hours of Le Mans was given on Saturday 19 September at 14:30 by Carlos Tavares under an unpredictable looking sky. In the wake of a perfectly executed start, the United Autosports team’s #22 ORECA 07 held its pole position during the first hour of racing. Unfortunately, water leaks forced Signatech Alpine and Racing Team Nederland to return to their garages after the first laps, costing precious minutes.

With such insignificant gaps between competitors, the race in LMP2 has a seen quite a few leader changes: United Autosports’ #22 and G-Drive Racing’s #26, then Graff Racing’s #39 (after a thunderous start) and United Autosports’ #32. Following a spin for Graff Racing’s car in the lead at the time, Jackie Chan DC Racing’s #37 ORECA 07 took the helm in the fifth hour. However, the cards were shuffled once again when an LMP1 incident caused the safety car to be deployed. More drama on the scene again as Duqueine Team’s #30 ORECA 07, on its way to the top of the hierarchy, crashed as a result of contact with another car and was forced to retire. Jackie Chan DC Racing’s #37, the leader for two hours, lost its first spot with an alternator problem.

After eight hours of racing, the LMP2 class was dominated by United Autosports’ #32 ORECA 07 ahead of G-Drive Racing’s #26 Aurus 01, JOTA Sport’s #38, United Autosports’ #22 and Panis Racing’s #31, all in the same lap. The next summary will be given after 16 hours.

In the LMP1 class, the two Toyotas still reigned ahead of the two Rebellion R13s, despite a 10-minute stop at the garage for the #8. Rebellion Racing’s R13s were only one lap behind the two TS050s at the end of the eighth hour.