The pattern we had been used to in LMP2 was unsettled as the second-placed Alpine slowed on the circuit and was brought into the pits by Paul-Loup Chatin. The Alpine re-appeared at its pit apron several laps later, its front left suspension having been repaired.
Bruno Senna had the bit between his teeth again as the Aston Martin’s fuel load came down as his stint progressed. Pulling back up to Bruni’s tail, the #97 car appeared more in control of the situation into the turns and was mounting another threat to re-take the class lead. This stand-off continued for several laps, by far the best of the entertainment on track.
Senna just seemed to be settling down behind when he mounted another charge, taking the place into Mulsanne Corner in a brave and neat move around the outside of the Ferrari before lining up for the corner. Gimmi Bruni was flying in Senna’s draft as he stayed in touch, setting a 3:53.901, the car’s best of the race so far.
The third placed Audi #2 put a lap on the #8 Toyota on approach to the GT-Pro battle.
The second-placed Porsche took to the pits for a full service, Timo Bernhard climbing aboard, Mark Webber confirming the tyres had been triple stinted.
Frustration for everyone watching the GTE-Pro battle as the leading Aston Martin was wheeled back into the pits, much attention focused on the front of the car. John Gaw advised a front left power steering cable having been damaged over a kerb. Though the team did not see this as a serious concern, Bruni was now in clear air and had taken a 2-lap lead.
The class leading #35 G-Drive Ligier’s faultless run came to an end as the sleek prototype was backed into its garage, the second placed #46 Ligier taking its stop under less pressure and rejoining in the lead of LMP2. With the Alpine also well down the order now the #38 Jota Zytek was starting to look good for a possible podium if it could stay out of trouble.
Darren Turner had by now taken the #97 Aston Martin back out on track, some five laps adrift of the leading Ferrari and now fourth in class. Smoke was being reported from the rear of the car, but it seemed this was residual oil burning off from the repair.
In GTE-Am, David Heinemeier Hansson was keeping the #95 Aston Martin comfortably ahead of the #88 Proton Porsche, Christian Reid at the wheel three laps back.
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