Just over half way, the number six Toyota of Mike Conway came in for an early stop and was wheeled into the garage. The woes from Le Mans may have continued but more distressing was the apparent lack of pace compared to Spa and Le Mans.
Tyre choices might be one thing but it still didn’t explain the entire deficit to Audi and Porsche. If their new aero kit was to blame then it’s something they’ll have to wear for the remainder of the season. Engine cover issues were cited for number six’s stop, with Kamui Kobayashi being sent out again for what was now a glorified test session.
Drama would unfold with just under two hours remaining when Marc Lieb made an opportunistic dive down the inside of the number 88 Abu-Dhabi Proton Porsche, sending the 911RSR into the sand trap and causing minor damage to the front dive-plan of the 919. A few laps later the number two car was reported to the stewards for causing a collision.
Audi took full advantage of the FCY while the number two Porsche followed half a minute later for bodywork repairs, sparking a throw of leaders to follow suit. As the pack re-joined, the leaders were Webber, followed by Jani, Duval, Lotterer and Buemi.
With 90 minutes remaining, the Toyota’s began recording impressive third sector times as temperatures began to drop – hinting that perhaps tyre choice was the culprit behind their mysterious absence in form. Up front however, Neel Jani drew ever closer to the number sister car with Mark Webber on board. Webber was instructed to let the championship leader through and complied in gentlemanly fashion.
There was more to the move than meets the eye however, as confirmation from race control came through with a drive-through penalty being levelled upon the number two 919 Hybrid by virtue of its earlier altercation with number 88. As Jani complied, Duval scythed past and in the process wrestled away Porsche’s opportunity to play team tactics in the championship.
Or so it seemed. With Jani now closing again on Duval, the Audi driver chose an ultra-defensive line into turn one and exposing Jani on the outside. Not only did the move retain Duval’s 2nd place, but crucially bring Andre Lotterer into play and
further frustrating Porsche. Duval’s ability to punch the R18 out of the Schumacher curves was enough to keep Jani at bay and allow the superior-paced Lotter to attack Jani.
A small hip-and-shoulder from Jani was enough to repel the challenge from Lotterer however and put the German on the dirty side of the track and provide some crucial breathing space. Lotter came back however, with both drivers using every piece of road including the pit entry
to do battle with the Audi eventually prevailing and slotting into third and the Porsche losing some rear bodywork in the process.
Webber chose to pit for new tyres to hand over to Bernhard and was followed swiftly by both Audis. The number two Porsche came in shortly after, but ten minutes later Neel Jani was called in for a mechanical infringement and to repair the clip on the rear deck. Jani rejoined in fourth with half an hour left on the clock.
Images: Adrenal Media