Le Mans 2017: Thursday
Live Text
Sort by
Newest first
Driver Change
Unsurprisingly, there has been a number of driver changes during the interval. Yesterday's pacesetter Kobayashi is now back in the #7 Toyota, while the Porsches are now being handled by Jani (#1) and Bernhard (#2).
Green flag
And qualifying is back under way here at Le Mans.
Information
With this lengthy delay, the session has been extended until 2130 local time. That's 30 minutes after the original scheduled finish.
The 'queue' at the pitlane exit resembles the shambolic shower of humanity trying to get out of the media car park at 1am-ish last night/this morning...
Twitter
The session is due to finish in 54 minutes. So if it does get going shortly there will be plenty of running left.
Information
Estimated session restart, according to race control, is 2005-2010. So that is in between four and nine minutes.
Twitter
The latest at the scene of the accident, where some heavy duty machinery and replacement parts have arrived as the barrier repairs continue:
LMP1
So that engine change and oil supply issue for the #8 Toyota is the first major mechanical trouble we've had at this Le Mans 24 Hours among the five manufacturer cars. It's unlikely to be the last.
Codling returns, with a fistful of Earl Grey infusions, and offers a litany of excuses that would put Edd Straw's legendary explanations for poor Ginetta race performances to shame. He was, we're told, required to replace an empty reservoir on the water dispenser; there was then a further incidence of time degradation while the extra-full kettle boiled. We're also informed that he frittered away more moments regaling Dunlop's PR team with his banter while helping himself to their Bourbon biscuits.
Information
There's a restart update in three minutes.
Autosport
Remember, one big-name driver who is missing from this race is Lucas di Grassi. He was withdrawn ahead of free practice yesterday 
Twitter
Quote
Confident words from Brendon Hartley to Eurosport during this break, telling the TV crew Porsche wants to have a go in qualifying because "We believe we can fight the Toyotas for pole".
LMP2
Part 1 in a series of however many we turn out to do of what we're calling "Interesting drivers competing at Le Mans": Fabien Barthez. The follicly-challenged former Manchester United and France goalkeeper, who won everything there was to win in his footballing career, is making his third appearance in the Le Mans 24 Hours in the #23 Panis-Barthez Competition Ligier.
Michael Christensen is having his supper during the lull. By looks of the bland bowl of pasta he's holding, he would have been better off nipping back to Porsche hospitality for something proper during the break in the action.
LMP2
A closer look at the damage to the offending car that is responsible for this lengthy red flag:
Mention of Mark Goddard's F3 Magnum makes the Autosport team keen on the idea of some ice cream, given it's still fairly warm here at Le Mans.
It is now some seven minutes since Stuart Codling disappeared on tea duties and he is yet to return. Autosport is not impressed.
LMP2
The #33 Ligier is now being craned off the flatbed.
LMP2
But hey, who hasn't wanted to shove a TV camera out of the way at times?
GTE AM
The #86 car is a long way down the GTE Am order. This is how the sharp end of the fourth class shapes up:
LMP2
The crashed #33 Ligier has been recovered to the pits. The crew are taking a good look at it and not taking kindly to TV cameras trying to get a close look.
GTE AM
The #86 Porsche also hit trouble just before that red flag, and it has now been returned to the pits:
LMP1
This red flag could be a blessing for Toyota after Buemi's early problems in this session. It gives time for the team to work on the #8 car and get to the bottom of the issue.
Twitter
GTE AM
The #86 Gulf Porsche is now back in the pits and being unloaded from a flatbed truck.
We were about to speculate on whether or not the race director might order Gary Watkins to make the Autosport team at Le Mans some cups of tea. But before that could happen, Stuart Codling volunteered. As such, the next 30 minutes of our live coverage will be powered by Earl Grey tea. For we will not be stopping even while the barriers are being repaired.
Radio Comms
Race Director Eduardo Freitas warns teams that: "I may amend the timetable for this session and the next - nevertheless, we will never have track activity beyond midnight."
While this is a long delay, remember that the prime track time should be at the start of the second session when it's still a bit light and the track temperature is good. So there's plenty of scope for things to change today even if there isn't too much running in this, the first of two sessions, tonight.
Information
The red flag also means there may be a change to the timetable. We will keep you updated.
Red flag
This is certainly going to be a lengthy delay. Race control has confirmed that the session will not restart until at least 2015 local time - that's almost 35 minutes away still.
Autosport's Gary Watkins predicts this barrier repair could take 'forever'. That sounds like an overly-conservative prediction, but it could certainly take a good while.
GTE PRO
Current status of the manufacturer battle in GTE Pro:
Information
We're told that Maris is going to the medical centre only for a routine check. So there don't seem to be any big concerns there. It's standard procedure to check drivers out after impacts of a certain level.
LMP2
After that exciting start to the action in LMP2, here's how the field looks:
Twitter
By: Matt Beer
Published:
Page:
