Three to one for OAK
OAK Racing's hopes of a finish in the Le Mans 24 Hours rest with the team's delayed LMP2 Morgan-Nissan after its LMP1 entry joined the LMP2 Morgan-Judd in retirement on Sunday morning.
The car shared by Franck Montagny, Bertrand Baguette and Dominik Kraihamer had been running ninth in class when an engine issue forced it out as the sun rose over the Circuit de la Sarthe.
The remaining OAK Racing car has however faced numerous delays, with no fewer than four separate punctures.
"It's been a difficult night for the team," team owner Jacques Nicolet said. "When I went to bed we were leading LMP2 with #24, while #35 was also well placed and #15 running. But when I woke up, #24 had retired and the #15's engine was showing signs of weakness before that car was also retired shortly after. Meanwhile #35 suffered four successive punctures and also had its electronics changed, so the night was also difficult for that car. However, at least it is still there and making progress.
"Hopefully we can now reach the finish with one of the three. The team has nothing to be ashamed of, our cars were amazingly well prepared and there was great motivation on the part of everyone to get things done. We demonstrated how competitive the car is but, unfortunately, the engine's reliability cruelly failed us. All I can say is that we will have to make strategic choices, which will begin tomorrow."
