BMW Takes the Lead at Le Mans After Cadillac's Penalty
BMW's No. 20 M Hybrid V8 takes the top spot after Cadillac's No. 12 V-Series.R is penalized for a slow zone procedure infraction.
Key Takeaways
- BMW’s No. 20 M Hybrid V8 takes the lead after Cadillac’s No. 12 V-Series.R is penalized for a slow zone procedure infraction.
- The No. 12 Cadillac had been leading much of the overnight stretch, but gradually lost time to the No. 8 Toyota TR010 and No. 20 BMW M Hybrid V8.
- Toyota’s Brendon Hartley holds the fastest lap of the race with a time of 3:25.4.
- Duqueine Team’s Doriane Pin remains in control in LMP2, with a gap of over ten seconds on the second-placed car.
- TF Sport’s No. 33 Corvette Z06.R leads in GT3, with a gap of almost two pit stops worth of time over the No. 79 Lexus RC-F GT3 and No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
BMW Takes the Lead
In my experience, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a race of strategy and endurance. BMW’s No. 20 M Hybrid V8 has taken the lead after Cadillac’s No. 12 V-Series.R was penalized for a slow zone procedure infraction. This move has shifted the balance of power in the three-way battle for the win.
The No. 20 BMW has been consistent throughout the race, and its long stop to repair something on one of the front corners of the No. 7 has paid off. The team’s strategy has put them in a strong position to take the win.
As the race enters its final six hours, BMW is angling for its first win since the 90s. The team will need to maintain its pace and avoid any major issues to take the top spot on the podium.
Cadillac’s Penalty
The No. 12 Cadillac V-Series.R had been leading much of the overnight stretch, but gradually lost time to the No. 8 Toyota TR010 and No. 20 BMW M Hybrid V8. The team’s penalty for a slow zone procedure infraction has moved the car behind the leading BMW and Toyota.
This is a significant setback for Cadillac, which was hoping to become the first American manufacturer to win the race overall in 57 years. The team will need to push hard to regain its position and challenge for the win.
Despite the setback, Cadillac still has a strong chance of taking the win. The team’s sister car, the No. 38, has suffered major issues, but the No. 12 is still in contention.
Toyota’s Fastest Lap
Toyota’s Brendon Hartley holds the fastest lap of the race with a time of 3:25.4. This is more than half a second up on both the BMW and Cadillac’s best marks.
The No. 8 Toyota TR010 has been consistent throughout the race, and Hartley’s fastest lap is a testament to the team’s speed and strategy. Toyota is fighting for its first Le Mans win with factory competition, and this lap time shows that they have the pace to challenge for the win.
As the race enters its final six hours, Toyota will need to maintain its pace and avoid any major issues to take the top spot on the podium.
LMP2 and GT3 Leaders
Duqueine Team’s Doriane Pin remains in control in LMP2, with a gap of over ten seconds on the second-placed car. The team has held this position throughout the vast majority of the race, and their consistency has paid off.
TF Sport’s No. 33 Corvette Z06.R leads in GT3, with a gap of almost two pit stops worth of time over the No. 79 Lexus RC-F GT3 and No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The team’s strategy has put them in a strong position to take the win.
| Class | Leader | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| LMP2 | Duqueine Team’s Doriane Pin | 10+ seconds |
| GT3 | TF Sport’s No. 33 Corvette Z06.R | Almost 2 pit stops |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current leader of the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
A: The current leader of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is BMW’s No. 20 M Hybrid V8.
Q: What happened to Cadillac’s No. 12 V-Series.R?
A: Cadillac’s No. 12 V-Series.R was penalized for a slow zone procedure infraction, moving the car behind the leading BMW and Toyota.
Q: Who holds the fastest lap of the race?
A: Toyota’s Brendon Hartley holds the fastest lap of the race with a time of 3:25.4.
