H22: Audi remain in lead despite scare

Kristensen made contact with Juan Barazi as he tried to lap the No.32 LMP2 at the Dunlop chicane. He quickly rejoined and opted not to pit, believing the car not to have sustained any significant damage.

Kristensen and Peugeot's Marc Gene had been running head to head from the beginning of the hour, as the circuit became dry enough for slick tyres for the first time since 03:00.

Gene lapped quicker than Kristensen throughout the hour, but not fast enough to close the three-minute gap before the end of the race. Even after the spin for the No.2 Audi, the Peugeot No.7 is still a lap down.

Peugeot's Ricardo Zonta, Audi's Mike Rockenfeller and the third Audi's Marco Werner held station from third to fifth places, while the No.8 Peugeot had another drama, when Pedro Lamy spun into the tyres at Arnage.

The Portuguese was able to return the car to the pits for a new rear wing, and it is back circulating in third place with Ricardo Zonta at the wheel.

There has been no change at the front of any of the other classes, with the Van Merksteijn Porsche RS Sypder, the No.009 Aston Martin, and the Risi Competizione Ferrari each enjoying strong leads in their respective categories.