FIA World Endurance Championship in Le Mans: Porsche 911 RSR in the top field.

22-08-2021 07:24 -

The starting phase of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was marked by difficult weather conditions. The American private team's starting number 79 took third place in the hard-fought GTE-Pro class for long stretches in the first four hours. Due to an alternative pit stop strategy, the car dropped to fifth just before the four-hour mark. The works team's approximately 515 hp Porsche 911 RSR are in fourth and seventh position after four hours. Gianmaria Bruni in the number 91 and Kévin Estre in the sister car with the number 92 suffered from a less than optimal tire choice in their first stints and were also involved in incidents.

Shortly before the start of the 89th edition of the long-distance classic in France, heavy rain had caused extremely slippery conditions on the 13.626-kilometer route. At the beginning, the race management left the safety car on the course for another two laps. The asphalt then dried so quickly that the factory cars on rain tires had to struggle with too little grip. Gianmaria Bruni could not avoid a slowly moving LMP2 prototype. The Italian's starting number 91 was slightly damaged on the side of the vehicle. Factory driver colleague Kévin Estre fell behind due to a spin and also lost further time after switching to slicks with a short ride in a gravel bed. Gianmaria Bruni in the number 91 and Kévin Estre in the sister car with the number 92 suffered from a less than optimal tire choice in their first stints and were also involved in incidents.

The free TV broadcaster RTL NITRO will broadcast the long-distance classic in Le Mans live for the first time in full, after the RTL Group secured the broadcasting rights for the FIA ​​WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Eurosport's sports channels also report extensively on the 89th edition of the race. The paid apps for the WEC World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans organizer ACO offer a live stream and clear timing.