In the early hours following dawn at Le Mans, a period often termed “Happy Hour,” the atmosphere was mixed. While some competitors were celebrating their positions, others faced challenges that dampened their spirits.
Count Rahel Frey, driving the Iron Dame Porsche 911 GT3R, experienced a frustrating moment when her vehicle was sidelined by a collision with the No. 87 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3, piloted by Clemens Schmid, at the second Mulsanne Chicane. The Porsche became stuck in gravel, necessitating a full-course caution for recovery. Although the vehicle was apparently unharmed initially, it later halted just beyond Mulsanne Corner, causing further concern. Schmid himself received a drive-through penalty due to the incident, which likely added to his dissatisfaction.
On a brighter note, James Calado found himself in a favorable position as he took the lead in the No. 51 Ferrari AF Corse 499P shortly after the caution period. He skillfully maneuvered past the sister car driven by Phil Hanson on their approach to Indianapolis, marking a significant moment in the race.
Keeping the Ferrari dominance in check, Sébastien Buemi in the No. 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 Hybrid managed to separate the leading Ferrari teams. Meanwhile, Kevin Estre returned to the track in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963, holding fifth place.
The conditions during “Happy Hour” were ideal for fast lap times, with cooler temperatures and bright sunshine encouraging drivers to push their limits. Norman Nato distinguished himself by clocking the best lap of the race so far—a remarkable 3 minutes and 27.043 seconds in the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R.
Prominently, the LMP2 category saw familiar faces with VDS Panis Racing’s Esteban Masson leading in the No. 48 entry. Close behind were Nick Yelloly in the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA and Jonas Ried in the No. 9 Iron Lynx-Proton ORECA.
In the Pro-Am sector, AO by TF maintained their lead, although concerns arose regarding their overall performance following a drive-through penalty issued to PJ Hyett for a slow zone procedure infraction.
The LMGT3 class has emerged into a compelling contest among Porsche, Ferrari, and Corvette. Richard Lietz drove the No. 92 Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche 911 GT3R to a commanding position, leading over François Hériau in the No. 21 AF Corse Ferrari 296, with Tom Van Rompuy’s No. 81 Corvette Z06 GT3.R from TF Sport trailing in third.
This race continues to show the excitement of endurance racing, with teams and drivers constantly working to outperform one another as the event unfolds. The dynamic conditions and fierce competition enhance the drama, keeping fans engaged and hopeful for thrilling outcomes as the race progresses.