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.
With no further incident – Gommendy retired in the pits with a mechanical problem – victory hopes proved to be just dreams, with Heylen heading pitward on lap 60 and Pagenaud following him just three tours later. It was not Junqueira who replaced them, however, the Brazilian having been passed by Bourdais as he frantically tried to ensure he had enough fuel to make the flag.
The Dale Coyne driver was coasting into corners in an effort to stretch what remained of his load, but was not about to go quietly, defending stoutly from Wilson and Rahal in turn. The American was on something of a charge, confident that he had enough fuel after getting back on the same strategy as the leaders by stopping twice in three laps.
Having passed Wilson, he harried Junqueira for several laps, before Wilson fought back, repassing the Medi Zone car for sixth on lap 60. The Briton then set his own sights on Bruno, but an attempt to pass the Brazilian at turn one resulted only in the #9 running out wide and allowing both Junqueira and Rahal to duck back inside. When Heylen and Pagenaud pitted the battle became one for podium positions, but Junqueira held firm to the end, aided by Rahal’s tyres running out of grip as he pushed them to the equivalent of a stint and a half.
The battle also meant that no-one had anything for Bourdais, who pulled away to win by nearly 14secs, taking his sixth victory of the season and further extending the gap over his title rivals.
