The RML MG Lola EX264 missed out on a certain LMP2 podium in the latest round of the Le Mans Series when a brake pad failure hit the team in the closing stages.

The RML car, which was started from the class pole, had dominated the LMP2 category and looked set for victory, with Tommy Erdos having established a healthy advantage during his first double-stint – although he would lose some ground as a result of an extended pitstop to fix an alternator belt failure.

The Brazilian fought back to second place before the start of the third hour, with Mike Newton - driving the two middle stints of the race – maintaining the cars pace before Erdos took over the car for the run to the flag. Erdos moved into the class lead and then extended his advantage to over half a minute when the front left brake-pad disintegrated as the race headed into its final hour.

What had looked set to be a top five overall finish and a class victory instead became ninth overall and fourth of the LMP2 runners – a result team manager Phil Barker found it hard to explain.

“From the position we were in when the brake-pad failure occurred we were comfortable with one stop to the flag,” he said. “It was all on schedule for the win. I can hardly believe it.”

RML chief executive Ray Mallock was also disappointed with the way the race had panned out.

“Our car and driver combination clearly had the pace to win here today,” he said. “We started the race from a strong position on the fourth row of the grid and both Mike and Tommy drove superbly to lead the class after five hours. To have brake failure cost us the race is hugely frustrating.”