Central Euro Summer Time*
3:00 PM- Race end! Congratulations to Audi Sports' 1-2-3-5 finish. The brand-new pair of Audi R18 e-tron quattro, #1 Lotterer/Fässler/Treyuler and the #2 Kristensen/McNish/Capello, finish the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans with a historical 1-2. Once again, Audi re-affirms its Le Mans dominance.
Unfortunately, both Toyota hybrids were taken out before the 12-hour mark. The #8 suffered a high speed collision after connecting with a GTE-Amateur Ferrari 458 Italia on the Mulsanne straight. The #7 receives mechanical damages after colliding with the Nissan DeltaWing, another casualty of the race. After an extended pit stop, the #7 retires because of an alternator failure. Nontheless, Toyota deserves commendation for its first appearance in the grueling race.
Back to the DeltaWing, the team proved the legitimacy of its design. Despite the retirement, the DeltaWing, which has endured a lot of skepticism and cynicism has proven that ability to endure is exactly what makes the DeltaWing so great. Weird in design, the 300-hp DeltaWing competed strongly against the LMP2 field until it was crashed out by the #7 Toyota TS030 Hybrid. #7 racing driver Kazumi Nakajima walked over to the DeltaWing garage and apologized in person. The fastest lap in the DeltaWing was a 3:45.353.
As for LMP2, the Morgan and Nissan powered racing cars dominated the first quarter of the race but reliability proved too great a test. The rapid and consistent Starworks Motorsport team #44 HPD ARX 03B Honda will be taken to the finish by Ryan Dalziel.
As for the GT competitors, the Corvette Racing suffered a lot of headwind and are finishing uncharacteristically off the podium. A veteran team, there's no doubt that the crew will come back next year with a vengeance. The Aston Martin was off the pace during the mid moments of the race. Heroically, the Vantage V8 clawed its position back from the Corvettes and Porsches to finish on the podium. At the top, the two Ferrari 458 Italia dominated the class and have led the race for generally its entire extent. Congratulations to Gian Carlo Fisichella and the AF Corse racing team.
LMP1 Winners (car, driver, fast lap)--
377 Laps, AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Lotterer 3:25.706
376 Laps, AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Kristensen 3:24.276
374 Laps, AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Rockenfeller 3:25.514
366 Laps, LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Prost 3:29.664
365 Laps, AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Duval 3:24.189
LMP2 Winners (car, driver, fast lap)--
353 Laps, HPD ARX 03B Honda/ Dalziel 3:41.024
352 Laps, ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Beche 3:40.728
351 Laps ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Perez Companc 3:39.641
GT Pro Winners (car, driver, fast lap)--
335 Laps FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Fisichella 3:56.953
332 Laps FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Makowiecki 3:56.024
331 Laps ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Fernandez 3:54.928
2:00 PM- T minus one hour is upon us after our extended intermission. Earlier in the night, the Audi prototypes had incidents with GT cars, the first between the #1 Audi and the #74 Corvette and the second between the #2 Audi and the #55 Porsche. Damage has been minimal for the prototypes.
In the 22nd hour, McNish in the #2 e-tron quattro hit the guardrail at the Porsche curves while the R18 Ultra went into a tire wall at the first chicane at Mulsanne. Despite the worrisome moments, the four Audi R18 cars are 1-2-3-4. Currently, the #1 Audi leads by two laps. It's their race to lose.
In the GTE Pro category, Stefan Mucke set a series of fastest laps in the Aston Martin. However, fluids are found leaking ominously from the car.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Lotterer 3:25.706
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Kristensen 3:24.276
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Rockenfeller 3:25.514
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Jani 3:29.664
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Gené 3:24.189
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
HPD ARX 03B Honda/ Dalziel 3:41.024
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Beche 3:40.728
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Ayari 3:39.641
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Ragues 3:41.860
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Fisichella 3:56.953
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Makowiecki 3:56.024
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Fernandez 3:54.928
--Intermission-- Stop by later for more updates!--
6:30 AM- Once again, the pair of Audi R18 etron quattro continue their 1-2 hold while the R18 Ultra driven by Jarvis rounds up the podium. Prost in the Rebellion Toyota is putting up a strong fight in fourth but the final R18 Ultra is closing down from just a lap behind. An Audi 1-2-3-4 is only a matter of time.
Running 7th overall, Potolicchio in the HPD Honda is still doing well to fend off the slew of Nissans in LMP2.
Finally, the #97 GT Pro Aston Martin Vantage V8 hits the barriers at Indianapolis but makes it back to the pits, giving up its position for a Ferrari 458 Italia 1-2 once again. However, the #59 Ferrari of Makowiecki suffers a rear puncture shortly after. Down 5 laps, team Corvette Racing is struggling to get back in the race.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Lotterer 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Capello 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Rockenfeller 3:27.566
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Prost 3:32.859
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Gené 3:26.633
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
HPD ARX 03B Honda/ Potolicchio 3:41.304
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Kaffer 3:40.770
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Panciatici 3:43.134
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Tinseau 3:40.991
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Fisichella 3:56.953
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Makowiecki 3:57.338
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Fernandez 3:56.291
5:40 AM- After a brief safety car, the green flag is back and 9 and half hours remain. The lead is still comfortably held by the Audi Sport Team Joest hybrids. 2-time Le Mans champion McNish closed down on Lotterer with only 2 seconds between them before a driver change replaced McNish for Capello.
A couple of retirements have been announced, unfortunately, including the #48 Oreca 03-Nissan and the #31 Lola B12/80 Coupe - Lotus.
In a pit shuffle, the GT Class Aston Martin now splits the pair of Ferrari 458 Italias. (GO ASTON MARTIN!)
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Lotterer 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Capello 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Jarvis 3:27.566
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Prost 3:32.859
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Gené 3:26.633
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
HPD ARX 03B/ Dalziel 3:42.404
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Ayari 3:40.943
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Panciatici 3:43.134
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Thiriet 3:40.991
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Bruni 3:56.953
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Mücke 3:56.484
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Makowiecki 3:57.338
4:50 AM- Full-course yellow safety car leads the pack ahead of 'Happy Hour.' The #75 Prospeed Competition Porsche RSR hit the wall at the Porsche curves. A #48 Oreca 03-Nissan suffered rear suspension damage and is stopped on the circuit. What's more, the #97 Aston Martin, which was in rapid pursuit of the Ferraris, might've pushed the hardware a bit too hard. the #97 Aston has also stopped on the circuit.
As 'Happy Hour' (sunrise) approaches, it's not about who's winning, it's about who's left.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Lotterer 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ McNish 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Jarvis 3:27.566
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Jani 3:32.859
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Géne 3:26.633
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
HPD ARX 03B/ Dalziel 3:42.404
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Ayari 3:40.943
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Panciatici 3:43.134
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Thiriet 3:40.991
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Vilander 3:56.953
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Melo 3:57.338
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Mücke 3:56.484
3:20 AM- We're half way through the race and chaos is striking the GT Class! Both the #74 and #73 Corvettes have undergone extensive repairs for a halfshaft and left disc change, respectively. The #58 Luxury Racing Ferrari retired after suffering major damage. The remaining #59 Luxury Racing Ferrari also beached itself in the gravel off Indianapolis corner. It has since been extracted and rejoined the track
Reacting to Team Corvette Racing's unexpected stop, the #97 Aston Martin is back on the third step of the GT Pro podium.
Fatigue, cold tires, lower visibility and spacial reference may factors for the offs this evening. the #3 Audi rejoins the track after briefly plowing into the gravel at the Ford chicane. the LMP2 Lola Judd spun into the gravel off Indianapolis corner as well.
New medical updates have surfaced regarding Toyota driver Anthony Davidson's condition. Davidson suffered fractures to the T11 and T12 vertebrae but doctors assure that Davidson may leave the hospital later on.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Fässler 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ McNish 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Bonanomi 3:27.566
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Jani 3:32.859
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
HPD ARX 03B/ Kimber-Smith 3:42.404
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Ayari 3:41.743
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Rusinov 3:43.134
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Fisichella 3:56.953
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Farnbacher 3:57.338
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Turner 3:56.484
2:30 AM- And we're back! It's been an epic race as the night unfolds. The Oreca-Nissan of the leading pack let go after Arnage after what was a puncture to the right rear tires. Then, it beached itself in the gravel at the 1st chicane after emerging from the pits. As the temperature drops to 13.5 Celsius in the air and 17.5 Celsius on the track, cold tires will bite you when you forget to ease up on the opening lap.
More trouble for the LMP2 leaders happened shortly after as the #35 Morgan-Nissan returned to the garage for electrical problems. The #24 Morgan also announced its DNF.
In the GT Class, the #74 Corvette took a heavy blow when it suffered a puncture at Tetre Rouge on the left front wheel.
Finally, after the #7 Toyota TS030 returned to the circuit to complete a couple of testing laps, it limped back into the pits. Toyota racing is done. A less than spectacular debut, the team put up an incredible fight against the Audi powerhouse in the first hours of the race.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Treluyer 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Kristensen 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Bonanomi 3:27.566
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Jani 3:32.859
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
HPD ARX 03B/ Dalziel 3:42.404
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Ragues 3:43.134
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Perez Companc 3:41.743
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Vilander 3:56.953
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Melo 3:57.338
CORVETTE ZR1/ Magnussen 3:56:656
--Intermission-- Stop by later for more updates!--
11:30 PM- As the night's cooler air allows the vehicles to run harder, Toyota sorely missed their opportunity of a nighttime counterattack as their #7 Toyota suffered an extended pit service. Emerging from the garage, Nakajima stopped the Toyota TS030 at pit exit only to have the car pushed back into the pits. Finally, the TS030 got sorted as it finally returned on the field, albiet 23 laps behind the LMP1 leaders.
Involved in the same incident, the #0 DeltaWing officially retired from the race. Nontheless, it was a valiant effort from the DeltaWing crew.
In typical Audi form, the pair of e-tron quattro prototypes are 1-2 while the Audi Ultra follows closely behind in 3rd.
In LMP2, the Morgan Judd and Morgan-Nissan briefly fell behind the Oreca 03-Nissan in what seems to be a pit stop shuffle. Judd regained its LMP2 lead.
In GT, Corvette leads the Ferrari in a 1-on-1 all out sprint battle.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Ltterer 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ McNish 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Rockenfeller 3:27.566
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Heidfeld 3:32.859
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
MORGAN JUDD/ Pla 3:41.838
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Hughes 3:43.134
HPD ARX 03B/ Kimber-Smith 3:42.404
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
CORVETTE ZR1/ Milner 3:57.357
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Bruni 3:57.476
CORVETTE ZR1/ Garcia 3:56:656
10:10 PM- It is now an Audi 1-2-3 after the violent crash involving the #8 Toyota TS030 driven by Anthony Davidson and the #81 Ferrari 458 Italia of Pierguiseppe Perazzini. Thankfully, both drivers have checked out of the medical center. A Rebellion Racing non-hybrid Lola-Toyota racing car is now the new leading Toyotas in LMP1.
Seven hours in and reliabiliy issues are emerging at full effect. This is the first opportunity for Toyota to run its prototypes in anger over an extended period of time. The lone #7 Toyota TS030 experienced contact with the DeltaWing Nissan, which connected with a concrete wall. Both cars are still in the pits as the mechanics scramble to fix the vehicles.
LMP2 Morgans are still dominating the pack.
In the GT Class, the Aston Martin Vantage V8s suffered a dramatic loss of pace. Unfortunately, #99 officially retired while the #97 meanders far behind from the leaders of the GT pack.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Fässler 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Capello 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Jarvis 3:27.566
LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Prost 3:32.859
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
MORGAN MORGAN-NISSAN/ Martin 3:42.007
MORGAN JUDD/ Nicolet 3:41.838
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Hartley 3:41.535
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
CORVETTE ZR1/ Gavin 3:57.357
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Vilander 3:57.476
PORSCHE 997 RSR/ Lieb 3:58:525
9:30 PM- After the yellow flag equalizer, the race has gone green once again. Le Mans live radio reported of a crash involving the Nissan DeltaWing experimental vehicle with Motoyama behind the wheel and Nakajima in the Toyota TS0 030 Hybrid. The DeltaWing connected with a concrete barrier and is making an attempt to return to the pits. This is the second incident with a second Toyota. The race still has still got more than 17 hours to go so we hope the Toyota drivers can regain some patience and composure among the excitement.
Racing gets a bit hairy now that the traffic is tightly packed.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Fässler 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Capello 3:27.366
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ Nakajima 3:27.088
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Jarvis 3:27.566
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
MORGAN JUDD/ Nicolet 3:41.838
ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Hartley 3:42.158
MORGAN MORGAN-NISSAN/ Heinemeier Hansson D. 3:42.007
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
CORVETTE ZR1/ Gavin 3:57.893
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Vilander 3:57.476
PORSCHE 997 RSR/ Henzler 3:59:147
8:30 PM- Battle scars at full effect right now. #3 Romain Dumas Audi Ultra is in the pits after an impact at the Forza Chicane when trying to negotiate around a GTE-AM Flying Lizard Porsche. Front fairings are ripped straight off the body work and a full front right suspension is in effect. Rumors of monocoque damage have also arisen. It currently sits 8 laps behind.
Quickly following, the #8 Toyota went into the Mulsanne barriers near the Sebring turn after violently colliding with the #81 GTE-AM Ferrari 458 Italia, which flew over the barriers and landed on its roof. The Ferrari driver and Toyota driver Davidson is both out. Davidson collapsed quickly after emerging from the vehicle. Davidson was removed from the race via ambulance. Safety car was quickly deployed to clear the debris.
Amid the chaos, the #7 Toyota briefly snatched the lead but Fässler nipped at its heels
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Fässler 3:26.302
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ Nakajima 3:27.088
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Capello 3:27.366
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Jarvis 3:27.566
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
MORGAN MORGAN-NISSAN/ Heinemeier Hansson D. 3:42.007
MORGAN JUDD/ Nicolet 3:41.838
HPD ARX 03B Honda/ Potolicchio V. 3:42.404
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
CORVETTE ZR1/ Westbrook 3:57.893
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Vilander 3:57.476
PORSCHE 997 RSR/ Henzler 3:59:141
7:10 PM- A bit of a cold war is brewing between Toyota and Audi. Audi R18 cars can travel more quickly but are choosing not to for fuel conservation and reliability preservation. Toyota is driving hard and picking up its pace. LaPierre is lapping at 2:28 while the leading Audi posted a 3:33 on lap 72.
Remarkably, the Morgans continue to dominate the LMP2 class.
In the GT Class, The battle between Aston Martin and Corvette continues with little between the teams. Fastest laps are split by hundredths, average speeds are split by 0.1 of a kmh, 206 kmh and 206.1 kmh respectively. At the moment, the Aston and Corvette are also split by the #51 Ferrari driven by Fisichella.
While the 97 Aston Martin continues its ferocious attack, the sister 99 suffered misfire issues. Just when the team solved the niggle, it gets swallowed into the tire wall, battering its right side and losing its rear wing.
The DeltaWing suffered a gearshift problem but the team seems to have sorted that out, a great effort from the experimental team.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Treluyer 3:26.302
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ Buemi 3:27.101
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ LaPierre 3:27.088
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Dumas 3:26.633
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Kristensen 3:366
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
MORGAN JUDD/ Pla 3:41.838
MORGAN MORGAN-NISSAN/ Leinders 3:42.007
HPD ARX 03B Honda/ Dalziel 3:42.404
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Turner 3:58:181
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Fisichella 3:57.476
CORVETTE ZR1/ Milner 3:58.050
6:10 PM- Duval made a very late driver change after the fellow leaders all made their full-service stops. Audi is suffering vibration and drag issues with their prototypes and unscheduled pitstops have allowed Toyota to get back in the game. 3 of the 4 Audis have had unscheduled stops and commentators are anxious of Audi reliability. It's CSI: Ingolstadt in Audi's garage.
The battle continues in the GT Class. The #97 Aston Martin out-braked itself into Arnage, falling to 3rd at one point after the #74 Corvette and #51 Ferrari capitalized on the Aston's misfortune.
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Treluyer 3:26.302
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ Buemi 3:28.175
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Dumas 3:26.633
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ LaPierre 3:28.006
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Kristensen 3:27.960
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
MORGAN JUDD/ Pla 3:41.838
MORGAN MORGAN-NISSAN/ Leinders 3:42.007
HPD ARX 03B HONDA/ Dalziel 3:42.404
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
CORVETTE ZR1/ Milner 3:58.768
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Turner 3:58:181
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Fisichella 3:57.476
Questions:
Audi Needs To Sort Out Vibration Issues. Could Toyota Steal The Lead?
5:10 PM - So far, most racing cars have returned for the pits three times. Light precipation caused the race to initiate under intermediate tires but the sun quickly emerged from the clouds and the cars quickly returned for racing slicks. LMP1 top dogs have been line astern.
Early signals look like a sprint race, especially from the desperate Toyota prototypes.
The real race is the GT Class. The Aston, Corvettes, and Ferrari are clawing for every second
LMP1 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Lotterer 3:26.302
AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ McNish 3:27.960
AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Duval 3:26.633
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ LaPierre 3:29.453
TOYOTA TS030 HYBRID/ Buemi 3:28.976
LMP2 leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
MORGAN JUDD/ Pla 3:41.973
HPD ARX 03B - HONDA/ Kimber-Smith 3:42.731
ORECA 03-NISSAN/Pecom Racing 3:43.054
GT Pro leaders (car, driver, fast lap)--
CORVETTE ZR1/ Milner 3:58.768
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Turner 3:58:622
FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Bruni 3:57.733
Questions:
Toyota gets serious about racing! What's changed from the previously mundane motorsport existence in Le Mans and Formula 1?
The DeltaWing handling looks like a handful at times, especially in trail brake attempts. Thoughts on their pace?
Who's your GTE-class favorite? (GO ASTON MARTIN!)
