fresh tyres with a 2 second advantage
not helping Toyota gain track position in the pits, but with Duval pitting again with a temperature issue (due to rubber caught up in the R18’s air-ducts) would hand the number 5 car a free goal.
In LMP2 Manor were enjoying a much less frenetic race than their debut at Silverstone, running 1 and 3, with James Jakes leading the way ahead of the SIgnatech Alpine of Stephane Richelmi. Strakka meanwhile would have to pit after laying oil out on track.
The number 6 Toyota would make a return to the pits however with what appeared to be an elongated gash to its left side. This was not the major concern for the Gazoo squad however, with electronics issues eventually retiring the car from a possible podium position.
An incident with the
Rebellion of Dominik Kraihamer and number 45 Manor saw a shake-up in LMP2, with the number 36 SIgnatech Alpine jumping into the lead ahead of the two Manor entries. Back in LMGTE Pro, AF Corse were still holding strong in 1-2 ahead of the third placed number 66 Ford GT.
Then… Just when it looked like Toyota were set for an unlikely win a collective groan rang out at Raidillon as the number 5 TS050 of Kazuki Nakajima expired in a
plume of white smoke. Only a lap earlier it looked like lapping its nearest competitor in Oliver Jarvis, only for the number 8 Audi to inherit the lead. Even more remarkably Neel Jani was crawling to a number two spot with zero hybrid power with the number 13 Rebellion set for a podium berth.
With one hour to
go and after a number of mechanical issues, the number 66 Ford GT lost the rear through Eau Rouge and Raidillon; slamming into the tyre barriers. Driver Stefan Muecke hurt his leg in the impact but was otherwise okay. The accident however had shortened the race, effectively gifting the remaining (non-hybrid assisted) Porsche a valuable 12 championship points (Brendon Hartley
would emerge in the Number 1
Porsche to limp home and make the 70% mark - netting 10 championship points along with Sebastien Buemi in the number 5 Toyota).
Leaders in LMP2, GTE Pro and Am were all being reeled in by the next placed competitors. Heartbreak however would