Along with Benelux rival Heylen – who had lost top gear and was struggling to hit his numbers – Doornbos pitted on lap 39, while Bourdais, Power and Wilson all went a lap longer. The ‘mistake’ was to cost the Dutchman heavily, as he dropped down the order, his chance of victory seemingly on hold until he goes home to Assen next weekend.
Bourdais’ stop allowed Pagenaud to take over at the front of the field, but the younger Frenchman only held the point for a lap before his need for fuel allowed Rahal to hit the front, up from 13th on the grid. Those to have taken a similar gamble as the Newman/Haas/Lanigan driver all shuffled up the order, with Rahal heading Tagliani, Tracy, Servia, Junqueira and Dominguez in the top six, with Bourdais rejoining eighth, which quickly became seventh when Ryan Dalziel stopped for what was to be a lengthy investigation.
Servia and Junqueira were quick to take advantage of Tracy being delayed momentarily by Legge, but the sight of Tagliani pitting signalled the changing of the guard as the ‘alternatives’ made their third stops of the afternoon. Servia briefly moved to the front, before Junqueira took his turn, but it wasn’t long before Bourdais was returned to P1.
Dominguez became the first retirement of the race when he lost the right rear wheel shortly after his lap 47 stop, bringing out a third safety car and providing an opportunity for one final round of stops among the frontrunners, while those hoping to get back on terms ducked in for fuel only.
Among them was Rahal, who hauled himself into contention for a podium by taking on a top-up and returning to the fray in seventh. Pagenaud was back at the front, leading local favourite Jan Heylen, Gommendy and Junqueira after each opted not to ‘splash and go’. It was then a case of ‘touch-and-go’ for the leaders, with fourth-placed Junqueira in the best position to make it to the chequer without the need for another full course yellow.
