09.HOURS
PORSCHE AND TOYOTA SWAP THE LEAD
Night descended on the great Circuit de la Sarthe. At midnight, Porsche was le
ahead of Toyota, but the TS O050 Hybrids managed to reduce fuel consumption.
Toyota and Porsche solidified their grip on the first part of the race. Toyota in parti
seemed to be in a position of strength. Indeed, the Toyota TS 050s were doing 1
stints whereas their rivals Audi and Porsche could only manage 13 laps, which m
the Japanese cars were pulling ahead gradually, knowing they could save one o
stops during the race. Since each trip to pitlane was taking a little more than a m
the time saved could make the difference when it mattered.