Le Mans latest (7)

New tyres on the No 10 Audi and driver change -
The two BMW V12 LMR cars are still sandwiching the Boutsen/McNish/Kelleners Toyota GT-One.

Its sister car, driven by Katayama/Suzuki/Tsuchiya, is in fourth, proving that, at the moment, the rear-suspension failure that put Martin Brundle's Toyota GT-One out of the race has not affected the running or balance of the other two cars.

The American team Panoz team were surprised and excited to qualify so well at Le Mans, and their car piloted by David Brabham, Eric Bernard and Butch Leitzinger is currently running comfortably in second, though Brabham has complained of handling difficulties on the front end through the corners.

23:55 (CET) Audi No 10 rejoins the circuit

23:50: (CET) Muller's BMW still leads from McNish's Toyota by over a minute.

No 10 Audi in pits with mechanics looking at gearbox.

23:45: (CET): Leading positions-

1 17 BMW (Lehto, Kristensen, Muller)

2 02 Toyota (Boutsen, McNish, Kelleners)

3 15 BMW (Martini, Dalmas, Winkelhock)

4 08 Audi (Pirro, Biela, Theys)

5 21 Nissan (Cottaz, Goossens, Ekblom)

6 03 Toyota (Katayama, Suzuki, Tsuchiya)

7 12 Panoz (Brabham, Bernard, Leitzinger)

8 18 BMW (Auberlen, Soper, Bscher)

9 13 Courage (Montermini, Caffi, Schiattarella)

10 07 Audi (Alboreto, Capello, Aiello)


23:30 (CET) Frank Biela spoke shortly before taking over the fourth place Audi to say that he thought things were looking good for the team.

Andy Wallace has said that the number 10 Audi in 22 is running extremely well. He said the gearbox was superb despite having to have been replaced earlier in the race.

23:19 (CET) Alan McNish has turned up the heat and is lapping a full three and a half seconds faster than the BMW of Muller.

Chamberlain have had their Trike returned after an appeal on Radio Le Mans (listen live on the Radio Le Mans page of www.autosport.com)

23:18 (CET) Hugh Chamberlain has had his Honda Trike stolen from the behind the garages meaning the team can't collect tyres from the Tyre paddock.

23:15 (CET) Jorg Muller's BMW is pulling away from the Toyota of Alan McNish as he sets the fastest laps of those on track.

The Joest run Audi R8R of Pirro, Biela and Theys is up to