Porsche and Toyota wrestling for Le Mans lead

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: June 16, 2024

Only a single second separates Porsche and Toyota after 18 hours of racing in Le Mans, setting up a tense run to the flag in the final quarter of the race.

At the 18-hour mark the #5 Porsche of Laurens Vanthoor/Andre Lotterer/Kevin Estre leads the #8 Toyota of Sebastien Buemi/Brendon Hartley/Ryo Hirakawa.

The Toyota currently steered by Hirakawa was in control but a well timed stop saw the Porsche snatch track position.

Australia’s Matt Campbell in the #5 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 was able to make strong ground overnight and sits in the top four.

Fellow Aussie Yasser Shahin is on track for class success with his #91 Manthey EMA 911 GT3 R leading LMGT3 after the leading #91 dropped to third late in the 18th hour.

A big crash for Aston Martin GT3 driver Daniel Mancinelli brought out the latest Safety Car.

When being lapped Mancinelli lost control and slammed hard into the Indianapolis barriers, with his car getting airborne and landing upside down.

He walked away unscathed but with barriers being repaired a long Safety Car period is in play where the Scott Dixon Cadillac lost a top 10 place having suddenly slowed at the start of the 19th hour.

Interestingly pain for the #4 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 produced a significant gain for the leader Vanthoor.

Felipe Nasr lost the rear of his #4 963 on slicks into Indianapolis and crashed out of the race.

At that point the #8 Toyota was in the lead but Vanthoor pitted during a slow zone and was able to snatch the lead.

Buemi/Hartley/Hirakawa held the lead following a massive four-hour Safety Car period early on Sunday morning after a night effected by rain.

Ben Barnicoat leads LMP2 in the #183 AF Corse ORECA ahead of the #22 United Autosports of Oliver Jarvis.

After a wet night, the track is now dry as the run to the flag approaches.

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Porsche and Toyota wrestling for Le Mans lead

Australia’s Matt Campbell in the #5 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 was able to make strong ground overnight and sits in the top four.

He walked away unscathed but with barriers being repaired a long Safety Car period is in play where the Scott Dixon Cadillac lost a top 10 place having suddenly slowed at the start of the 19th hour.

Buemi/Hartley/Hirakawa held the lead following a massive four-hour Safety Car period early on Sunday morning after a night effected by rain.

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