case of how long it could hold out. With one pit stop to go it was going to be tight – in-laps and out laps would be crucial.
As Nakajima pitted for scrubbed tyres all hell broke loose on the pit entry with the number 4 CLM Bykolles collecting the number 97 Aston Martin. Both would recover back to their respective garages but with extensive damage.
A longer stop from Hartley allowed the New Zealander to emerge in the lead but with Sebastien Buemi – now piloting the number 8 Toyota – on fresher tyres and still well in the game. With 18 minutes remaining, the gap had closed to 1.4 seconds. Traffic would come into play, allowing Hartley a few moments to breathe but Buemi would eventually barge through to take the lead and was never headed.
A titanic LMP2 duel between Oliver Jarvis and Nicolas Prost eventually fell Jarvis’ way for DC Jackie Chan Racing while a remarkable comeback saw Harry Tincknell take the GTE Pro victory ahead of the number 51 Ferrari of Alessandro Pier Guidi.
Pedro Lamy would battle for GTE Am honours for Aston Martin with the Clearwater Racing Ferrari of Matt Griffin – Griffin winning out in a desperate finish.
Images: Richard Washbrooke Photography
Images: Richard Washbrooke Photography