Kristensen Audi leads Petit at halfway

Sublime pitwork from the Joest crew put the Le Mans legend in the lead as all the leaders pitted following the fourth full-course yellow of the race. The lightning quick driver change moved Kristensen ahead of the #07 Peugeot of Marc Gene, which came into the pits leading courtesy of Anthony Davidson.

The Briton had repelled a concerted charge from Dindo Capello during his stint, but the gap was seldom more than a couple of seconds. The #08 Peugeot, now driven by Pedro Lamy, is slightly further back in third having lost track position with a lengthy stop.

In the preceding hour Stephane Sarrazin made a bid for second, but misjudged his dive under Capello at the chicane and half spun. Despite a series of blistering laps he was never able to get the lead pair back in sight. Following Andre Lotterer's damaging trip across the kerbs, the #9 Audi lost 15 laps but is back on track in 10th overall.

The Highcroft HPD, now in the hands of Marino Franchitti, has a comfortable two-lap lead in LMP2, while Corvette has now established a one-two in GT2, with Antonio Garcia narrowly ahead of team-mate Emmanuel Collard.