Disaster struck for the No. 46 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 that had been leading LMGT3 for much of the race. Kelvin van der Linde appeared to have a mechanical problem at the entry to the Porsche Curves and slid straight off the track and became mired in the gravel, almost certainly putting an end to the team’s hopes for victory.
The diagnosis was a technical issue that shut all the power down and affected the power steering. Van der Linde was able to get the car re-fired after it was snatched from the gravel trap and make it back to the pits, but the time spent stationary plus five minutes for repairs left the car three laps down. It would later return to the pits for an extended visit.
That left the LMGT3 battle to Manthey 1st Phorm and Vista AF Corse, Riccardo Pera in the No. 92 Manthey Porsche 911 GT3R and Simon Mann in the No. 21 Ferrari. But they were being stalked by Jose Maria Lopez in the No. 87 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3 and the second No. 78 Lexus with Finn Gehrsitz.
Zacharie Robichon ran fifth in the No. 27 Heart of Racing Team, ahead of the No. 81 TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Rui Andrade.
Porsche continued to lead overall with the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963. Kevin Estre finally gave up the seat to let Laurens Vanthoor have his turn.
Ferrari is charging back, with Robert Kubica taking advantage of the slow zone for the WRT BMW to pit the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P early, erasing some of the Porsche advantage as he ran second. Antonio Fuoco displayed the No. 50 499P’s pace by chasing down and passing Brendan Hartley in the No. 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 for third. After a pit stop, Fuoco was in fifth and the Toyota in third, with the No. 51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P of Antonio Giovinazzi in fourth.
Not much has changed at the head of LMP2 other than the drivers’ names. Oliver Gray was now in the No. 48 VDS Panis Racing ORECA in the lead. The No. 9 Iron Lynx Proton entry was second with Reshad De Gérus at the wheel, ahead of the No. 43 Inter Europol ORECA of Tom Dillman.
