Aston Martin’s day at La Sarthe has gone from bad to worse in the past hour. Simultaneous but apparently unrelated incidents at the first Mulsanne Chicane have seen a major mechanical drama for the leading #33 TF Sport Aston Martin and the retirement of the #56 Project 1 Porsche.
Egidio Perfetti lost the Mentos liveried Porsche under braking for the first chicane, the car clouting the tyre barrier hard, Perfetti having to be assisted out of the car, which is an instant retirement.
The leading TF Sport Aston Martin was following and narrowly avoided the stricken Porsche as something seized at the rear of the car, the Aston Martin crabbing in the braking zone. Felipe Fraga did well to hold and recover the car to its pit with a right rear puncture, damage from which had necessitated a change of the rear splitter.
The turquoise #33 Aston Martin had built a strong lead at this early stage of the race, but now sits fourth in class, Felipe Fraga still aboard. AF Corse’s No. 83 Ferrari now leads into the eighth hour of the race.
