HOUR BY HOUR
Hour 17 0700-0800
Buemi’s advantage shrank but the #8 Toyota continued to lead the way. Once again he was the victim of a slow zone, taking 12s out of his time as Conway returned to the #7’s wheel. Ben Hanley crashed the Dragonspeed BR1.
Hour 18 0800-0900
While attrition continued to claim the privateer LMP1S, Buemi set about rebuilding his gap over Conway. He made up 10s to be three-quarters of a minute clear. Problems behind the Rebellions included the last Manor Ginetta having gearbox issues.
Hour 19 0900-1000
Alonso once again led when he beat Conway off a restart after being held at pit exit due to a safety car called for repairs at Tertre Rouge. The #3 Rebellion briefly dropped out of third place for the first time in 11 hours when it stopped under the safety car.
Hour 20 1000-1100
The Alonso versus Lopez battle continued to be won by Alonso, who held almost a 1m20s advantage over the sister car. Beche’s Rebellion was reported for having its door open, while the Manor Ginetta was back on track in this hour.
Hour 21 1100-1200
Lopez’s spin at the Dunlop Chicane in the #7 further extended the #8 car’s lead in the final hours. The multiple World Touring Car champion had previously touched the grass on the exit of the Esses as Alonso ran untroubled to a 40s lead.
Hour 22 1200-1300
Nakajima climbed aboard the #8 in the final driver change of the race. The battle for best privateer took another twist when Jani was forced to abandon a stint early after his door flew open, which allowed the sister car of Menezes to pass for third.
Hour 23 1300-1400
Fears that the Toyota curse had struck again were raised when Kobayashi slowed; he had missed his pitstop and was forced to run at 80km/h to save fuel. That allowed the #8 Toyota to lap the #7 and make a big step towards victory.
Hour 24 1400-1500
Kobayashi served two separate 10-second stop/go penalties after his pitstop miss. Nakajima took the flag to win for Toyota, with the lapped sister car slowing to join for a photo-finish. Rebellion was third and fourth.