12H - 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours: #8 Toyota leads at half distance

The #7 Toyota runs into trouble to hand the half way lead back to the sister #8 Toyota; United Autosport 1-2 in LMP2 as Aston leads both GT classes
Toyota Gazoo Racing, #8 Toyota, Alonso, Buemi, Nakajima,
Toyota Gazoo Racing, #8 Toyota, Alonso, Buemi, Nakajima,
© Toyota Gazoo Racing

The #8 Toyota of Sebastian Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima and Brendon Hartley crossed the half way mark in the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours with a renewed lead after the sister #7 machine hit technical issues.

Despite a brake problem for the #7 car putting it a bit out of sync with its team-mates but leading in the run up to the 12 hour mark. However, a turbo problem would instead forced the Mike Conway, Jose Maria Lopez, Kamui Kobayashi entry into the pit lane for repairs.

As such, the #8 car now has some breathing room at the front of the field, three laps clear of the third place #1 Rebellion Racing. The second Rebellion is running in fourth position, while the fifth and final LMP1 entry from ByKolles is circulating down the order after impacting the barriers.

In LMP2, United Autosports have risen to the fore in first and second positions, the #32 Oreca of Will Owen holding onto the lead but was being chased down by ex-F1 driver Paul di Resta in the sister car before the Scot nosed ahead.

They retain a lap over the third place Jota Oreca in the hands of Anthony Davidson, while Roman Rusinov was third in the  G-Drive car until it hit problems and slipped back to fifth behind the Panis Racing car. The DragonSpeed is sixth in the class. With Renger van der Zande at the wheel.

In the GTE Pro Aston Martin moved back into the lead with Harry Tincknell ahead of team-mate Alex Lynn, who pulled a triple stint before handing over in second place.

Miguel Molina was doing the running for the AF Corse Ferrari in third position, with Alessandro Pier Guidi following up in fourth in the second of the 488s

In GTE Am, The TF Sport Aston Martin leads the way with a healthy advantage over the #98 Aston Martin in second place. The AF Corse Ferrari is in third pllce.
 

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