HOUR BY HOUR

Hour 17 0630-0730

Each interval between the four remaining LMP1 cars is now two laps. There’s more bad news for Conway’s #7 Toyota, which sustains floor damage from debris. Toyota decides to soldier on as repairs would take too long.

Hour 18 0730-0830

An hour of little change in LMP1. The second-placed #1 Rebellion slips another lap behind the leading #8 Toyota, the gap now up to three tours. The #7 Toyota attempts to keep chasing the #3 Rebellion for third despite floor damage.

Hour 19 0830-0930

The #1 Rebellion also needs to pit for a new nose after being hit by debris, which drops it back behind the #3 car and extends Toyota’s advantage to five laps.

Hour 20 0930-1030

Now third, Menezes tries to close the gap with the #3 Rebellion, which had been trailing all race. Toyota’s leading #8 car shows little sign of slowing down, much like its #7 car shows little sign of threatening Rebellion’s double podium.

Hour 21 1030-1130

All quiet on the Toyota front, but not so much in the Rebellion camp. A fiery Menezes races towards Rebellion team-mate Dumas, but is told to hold station. Menezes vents his frustration but ultimately complies with instructions.

Hour 22 1130-1230

The #1 car does get ahead by virtue of a quicker driver change from Menezes to Nato, compared to a slow getaway for Deletraz. Rebellion is worried about the brake wear on both cars and doesn’t want to risk losing a double podium finish.

Hour 23 1230-1330

Rebellion’s brake concerns are shown to be valid. Deletraz goes off at Indianapolis and thumps the barriers. The #3 car gets brought in and loses six minutes to check its brakes, clutch and rear end. That hands third back to the #7 Toyota.

Hour 24 1330-1430

Nakajima has the honour of bringing the #8 Toyota home. He crosses the line to seal Toyota’s third consecutive Le Mans win. Rebellion takes second in its last-ever Le Mans and final WEC race. The #7 Toyota takes third.