Hour 4: Puncture deflates Herbert hopes
The Capello/Herbert/Pescatori car has lost the lead of the Le Mans 24 hours after suffering a rear left puncture on its 58th lap. Christian Pescatori, who had finally taken over from Johnny Herbert after the ex-F1 driver's quadruple opening stint, lost several minutes in recovering to the pits and rejoined in third place.
Despite minor damage to the rear of the car caused by the tyre, no major work was immediately necessary. However, there are concerns that problems may force the car to pit for repairs soon.
The Biela/Kristensen/Pirro Audi had recovered the thirty seconds lost after a stop/go penalty. Kristensen had begun the charge before handing over to Emanuele Pirro, and were back on the tail of the number two car when it suffered its puncture.
The Audi North America car, which had run last on the first lap, moved into second place ahead of Pescatori to maintain the Audi symmetry.
The Reid/Hughes/Kane MG Lola currently runs in a strong fourth position and comfortably leads the LMP675 class from the sister Blundell/Bailey/McGarrity car which lies 13th overall. Impressive lap times by Warren Hughes have given the fourth-placed car a 30 second lead over the Goh Audi of Seiji Ara.
Further down the field, the Bentley continues its recovery from earlier minor difficulties, running in eighth place behind the two Team ORECA Dallaras.
The Prodrive Ferrari continues to lead the GTS class in the hands of former BTCC champion Rickard Rydell.
In the GT class, the JMB Ferrari driven by British GT star Martin Short and fellow Brit Sam Hancock has retired.
Biela/Kristensen/Pirro Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 64 laps
Krumm/Peter/Werner Audi Sport North America, Audi R8, 63 laps
Capello/Herbert/Pescatori Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi R8, 62 laps
Reid/Hughes/Kane MG Sport, MG-Lola EX257 46 laps **, 62 laps
Ara/Dalmas/Katoh Team Goh, Audi R8 62 laps
Lammers/Hillebrand/Coronel Racing for Holland, Dome-Judd S10, 61 laps
Sarrazin/Montagny/Minassian Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP 61 laps
Beretta/Lamy/Comas Team ORECA, Dallara-Judd LMP 61 laps
Wallace/Leitzinger/van de Poele Team Bentley, Bentley EXP Speed 8, 61 laps
Bouillon/Lagorce/Bourdais Pescarolo Sport, Courage-Peugeot, 61 laps
Menu/Rydell/Enge Prodrive, Ferrari 550 Maranello 57 laps
Dumas/Maassen/Bergmeister Freisinger Motorsport, Porsche 911 GT3-RS 54 laps
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