Le Mans 24 Hours Live Commentary and Updates

This says a lot about Peugeot's current WEC programme, frankly. Aston Martin's #009 is challenging for position on merit with a brand new entry, while the French manufacturer is in season three of its effort. 

I was wondering when we would get the typical artistic slow motion replays for a two-minute window... finally my dreams are realised as we get largely pointless close-ups of cars over kerbs and the sun in drivers' eyes! While that happens, the #009 has a look at the #94 but has the door closed before ducking into the pits at the end of the lap.

Eight hours to go, here are the top three in each class as the pit stop windows begin to cycle again:

Hypercar: #51, #83, #50

LMP2: #43, #48, #28

LMGT3: #92, #21, #81

They are all drive-through penalties and crucially, the top two in Hypercar are involved. 

Meanwhile, the #311 has hit more trouble, this time off the track and having to be craned behind the barrier by a recovery vehicle, while the #15 BMW has gone through the gravel at Mulsanne Corner.

A slow zone for the #311 recovery does make this an attractive time to get those drive-throughs out of the way, at least as a damage limitation exercise.

Clearly something failed for Vesti as he ground to a halt at Turn 1 in the Whelen Cadillac - race over for that crew.

Good morning Gary! 

What that slow zone did do is help those on the more desirable pit strategy get their stops done, including the leading two cars in Hypercar.

Perera is closing in on Dillman in the race for the LMP2 lead! The #43 and #48 have controlled the class for much of the race so far.

The VDS Panis car is now under five seconds behind the Inter Europol, with another minute-plus to the #28 IDEC Sport car in third.

The end for the #311:

Here's a great battle for fourth in LMGT3 as Jose Maria Lopez puts the #97 Lexus past the #27 HoR Aston for fourth.

Up ahead, the #15 BMW has just done the fastest lap of the race with Dries Vanthoor behind the wheel. 

Just had a text through from a mechanic working for one of the leading Hypercar entries. One word in that message: "Knackered".

This isn't just an endurance race for car and driver, it's a challenge for all involved.

Drama for the #38 Cadillac as Bamber hits pitlane with a puncture on the front-left tyre. That was during that set's second stint, so far from ideal for the Jota squad.

Cadillac has put out a statement about the retirements of the #101 WTR and #311 Action Express V-Series.Rs. It's short and sweet and uses the same wording with regard to both cars. It uses the words "lost power" twice over and then states for each car: "We will diagnose the root cause of the issue and prepare to race again." No doubt it is too early to for Caddy to be 100% sure, but could very well be identical failures.

Now Robichon is under pressure again in the #27 Aston, again with a Lexus on his case.

This time, it's Hawksworth who tows himself behind his rival in the quest for a top-five berth.

And the move is made on the run to Indianapolis after a drag race from Mulsanne Corner. The HoR Aston loses another spot.

No, no, no. A pretty poor collision at the Ford chicane between the #77 Mustang and the #10 Aston. 

Bronze drivers collide as Sousa lunges on Deboer and will likely pick up a penalty.

Some pictures coming in from Ben Vinel on location. One is of a V12 Hypercar beast and one, um, isn't?

The #83 will be in at the end of the next lap, with the leading #51 able to go one lap further. Porsche's #6 should be able to stretch out an extra lap as well.

So as expected the #83 boxed, as have the #12 and #5 cars. The #51 and #6 will follow next time by from first and second on the road.

A potentially huge investigation in the LMP2 category as the leading #43 car, which is just 0.8s ahead of the #48, is being assessed for potentially leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage at the Ford Chicane.

An apology over team radio from Gounon as the entry gets hoisted out of the gravel by a recovery vehicle. He will be able to get back going but having lost a whole lot of time.

Kubica is NOT happy that he has been told to stay behind the #51 while Ferrari figures out a "fair" strategy.

"We gave up position twice, I am clearly faster." It seems clear the factory Ferrari outfit wants the win over the pseudo-private entry.

Dillman has managed to find two easy seconds over Gray in the battle for first and second in LMP2, though that investigation still hangs over the Inter Europol squad.

Just under seven hours to go, here are the top threes:

Hypercar: #51, #83, #50

LMP2: #43, #48, #28

LMGT3: #92, #21, #81

Interesting! Kubica has been told to close the gap and Giovinazzi will allow him through, with the Pole told: "No arguments anymore."

He will be thrilled to know the #51 has been told to extend the gap. The last time we saw this nonsense from the Ferrari crews, the #83 drove through the gravel with Hanson at the wheel. Will they not learn?

Bad news for Giovinazzi as he gets traffic through Tertre Rouge and that puts Kubica right on his tail! The Pole is getting riled having been told he would be given a wave through. This is turning somewhat sour.

Now the #51 has been told that a swap will take place. Kubica's pressure seems to have worked, though it was caveated by 'when Robert is back with you'.

The gap has stretched slightly since the call so it seems Giovinazzi is getting a move on to ensure he keeps the race lead for his crew.