Everything Gets Closer In Hour Five
- Nov 1, 2015
- 2 min read
At the beginning of the fifth hour it all seemed to be Porsche’s to loose. Leading comfortably but almost a lap over the Audi’s it appeared that there was nothing that could be done to catch the championship leaders. #18 looked to be trying to make the advance on the sister car after their out-of-sync pit stops but first time in the car for the race, Webber, was laying down the rubber, setting fastest lap after fastest lap. But disaster struck as the track began to dry out and the Porsches were stuck stranded on intermediate tyres as the Audi’s pit for the slicks. #18 lost the rear of the car coming into turn two after passing traffic and lost second to the #7 Audi as it took him a while to get the car moving again. Both Porsches were forced to pit early as the Audi’s were gaining too much time. The question is now can the Porsches make it to the end or will they have to pit again, just like everyone else.
Signtech Alpine lead LMP2 with car #36. They overtook the #29 Pegasus car for the lead and have managed to stay ahead after the fifth hour. With #47 looking completely out of contention for scoring points for the championship thanks to their spin in the first fifteen minutes the G-Drive cars seem to be contently and comfortably sitting P2 and P3 in class. #26 was let passed by teammate #28 to give them second place and the gain in the championship campaign.
Porsche dominate the Pro class with #91 leading #92. Car #91 has managed to get up the timing board and is in with the LMP2 cars. The Porsches were the first to opt for the full slick tyres in class, making good progress on the now optimum tyre and pulling away from the rest of the pack.
The lead in the LMGTE Am class has been passed between #98 and #83 through the hour, but it is #83 who has come out on top. An overtake by the AF Corse car on the Aston Martin as it was in the pits saw them take and retain the lead. That, however, looked under threat as the #83 gained a drive though for a pit infringement but the lead was so great that they came out still in the lead. The torrid weekend continued for #88 as it got caught up with the Rebellion LMP1 car #13 as the Rebellion lost it and reversed into the side of the #88. Both cars are still running but had to take the cars to the pits for potential repairs.
The focus as we go into the final hour is on the LMP1 battle which has been closed down significantly during the hour. Can Porsche somehow manage to get their 1-2 back, increasing the championship lead for #17 and claiming the constructors title with a race in hand or will Audi do something to stop them?
(image: www.fiawec.com)
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