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Le Mans: Toyota Keeps The Lead At Halfway

Update: Toyota Stays On Course At Le Mans After 12 Hours
The Huffington Post UK
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Darkness has long fallen at Le Mans, the crowds in the stands have thinned considerably but one constant has been the #7 Toyota TS040 Hybrid of Alexander Wurz, Kazuki Nakajima and Stephane Sarrazin which continues to keep all others behind it.

At halfway distance, the lead car had completed 187 laps but its one lap lead was being eaten into by the second-place Audi #2, driven by the 2011 and 2012 winners, Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler. Their sister car, the #1 R18 e-tron quattro, was in third, but Tom Kristensen, had a problem near the end of the 11th hour when he lost power just after he had returned to the track after a pitstop. Crawling along the Mulsanne Straight, the Dane managed to get it started but had to limp back to the pits and was soon two laps adrift.

Le Mans 2014
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(01 of31)
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Romain Dumas (FRA) / Neel Jani (SUI) / Marc Lieb (GER) #14 Porsche Team Porsche 919 Hybrid.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(02 of31)
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Timo Bernhard (GER) / Mark Webber (AUS) / Brendon Hartley (NZL) #20 Porsche Team Porsche 919 Hybrid.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(03 of31)
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Kristian Poulsen (DEN) / David Heinmeier Hansson (DEN) / Nicki Thim (DEN) #95 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(04 of31)
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Alexander Wurz (AUT) / Stephane Sarrazin (FRA) / Kazuki Nakajima (JPN) #07 Toyota Racing Toyota TS040 Hybrid makes a pit stop.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(05 of31)
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Paul Dalla Lana (CDN) / Pedro Lamy (POR) / Christoffer Nygaard (DEN) #98 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Vantage V8.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
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Swiss driver Marcel Fassler in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°2 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Spanich driver Marc Gene in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°1 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-FRA-MOTOR-RACING-ENDURANCE(08 of31)
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French driver Romain Dumas in his Porsche 919 Hybrid N° 14 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italian driver Marco Bonanomi (L) in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°3 competes ahead of Danish driver Tom Kristensen in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°1 during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-FRA-MOTOR-RACING-ENDURANCE(10 of31)
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German driver Andre Lotterer (R) in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°2 competes ahead of French driver Nicolas Lapierre (C) in his Toyota TS 040 Hybrid N° 8 and Danish driver Tom Kristensen in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°1 during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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German driver Andre Lotterer in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°2 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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French driver Nicolas Lapierre in his Toyota TS 040 Hybrid N° 8 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-FRA-MOTOR-RACING-ENDURANCE(13 of31)
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German driver Andre Lotterer in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°2 during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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German driver Timo Bernhard in his Porsche 919 Hybrid N° 20 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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German driver Andre Lotterer (R) in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°2 competes ahead of Italian driver Marco Bonanomi (C) in his Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Hybrid N°3 and French driver Nicolas Lapierre in his Toyota TS 040 Hybrid N° 8 during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Le Mans 24h Race(16 of31)
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LE MANS, FRANCE - JUNE 14: The clock showing 24 hours remaining is seen prior to the Le Mans 24h Race on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Andrew Hone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Austrian driver Alexander Wurz in his Toyota TS 040 Hybrid N° 7 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Le Mans 24h Race(18 of31)
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LE MANS, FRANCE - JUNE 14: Start of the race, Toyota Racing, Toyota TS 040 - Hybrid of Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin, Kazuki Nakajima leads the field during the Le Mans 24h Race l on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Andrew Hone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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German driver Nick Heidfeld in his Rebellion R-One Toyota N°12 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US driver Spencer Pumpelly in his Ferrari 458 Italia N°66 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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French driver Nelson Panciatici in his Alpine A 450B Nissan N°36 competes during the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Le Mans 24h Race(22 of31)
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LE MANS, FRANCE - JUNE 14: Toyota Racing, Toyota TS 040 - Hybrid of Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin, Kazuki Nakajima during the Le Mans 24h Race on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Andrew Hone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Le Mans 24h Race(23 of31)
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LE MANS, FRANCE - JUNE 14: Grid Girls help push one of the cars on to the track at the Le Mans 24h Race on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Andrew Hone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Le Mans 24h Race(24 of31)
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LE MANS, FRANCE - JUNE 14: Jean Todt, FIA President, waves to the fans on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Andrew Hone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-FRA-ENDURANCE-LE MANS(25 of31)
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Drivers take the start at the 82nd 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in Le Mans, western France, on June 14, 2014. 54 cars with162 drivers are participating in the race on June 14 and 15. AFP PHOTO / JEAN FRANCOIS MONIER (Photo credit should read JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italian driver Fernando Alonso poses in the pit before the start of the 82nd Le Mans 24 hours endurance race, on June 14, 2014 in Le Mans, western France. Fifty-six cars with 168 drivers are participating on June 14 and 15 in the Le Mans 24-hours endurance race. AFP PHOTO / GUILLAUME SOUVANT (Photo credit should read GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(27 of31)
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Scenic action as the sun sets.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(28 of31)
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Damage from Anthony Davidson (GBR) / Sebastien Buemi (SUI) / Nicolas Lapierre (FRA) #08 Toyota Racing Toyota TS040 Hybrid from a crash in the race which took out Filipe Albuquerque (POR) / Marco Bonanomi (ITA) Oliver Jarvis (GBR) #03 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 e-tron quattro Hybrid and Stephen Wyatt (AUS) / Michele Rugolo (ITA) / Sam Bird (GBR) #81 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(29 of31)
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Alexander Wurz (AUT) / Stephane Sarrazin (FRA) / Kazuki Nakajima (JPN) #07 Toyota Racing Toyota TS040 Hybrid.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(30 of31)
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Scenic action as the sun sets and the Safety Car is out.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Le Mans 24 Hours Race - Le Mans, France(31 of31)
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Romain Dumas (FRA) / Neel Jani (SUI) / Marc Lieb (GER) #14 Porsche Team Porsche 919 Hybrid.FIA World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 Hours, Race, Saturday 14th June 2014. Le Mans, France. (credit:PA)

The best of the two Porsche 919 Hybrids, which are making their 24-hour debuts, was the #20 car of Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard, three laps behind, while their sister car, the #14, was a further three laps back.

The final car still running in LMP1-H class for manufacturers was the second Toyota which, having already suffered early in the race, had to make another unscheduled stop in the pits after Anthony Davidson reported a problem with balance and remained 12 laps off the lead.

However, behind the leading protoypes a titanic battle raged in the GTE Pro between Aston Martin, Corvette and Ferrari with the British marque holding the upper hand - but only just.

SEE ALSO:

  • Porsche Lead After Three Hours While Audi And Toyota Suffer

After 161 trouble-free laps the #97 Vantage GTE Pro of Darren Turner, Stefan Mücke and Bruno Senna (BR) had nearly 90 seconds' advantage over the #74 Corvette of Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook and the #51 Ferrari but for much of the preceding hours or so, there had been nothing between all three.

“It was a good stint,” commented Mücke after his double stint in total darkness. “There was some oil on the track, which made driving difficult, but I just took some care. Bruno is in the car now and has done a fantastic job to keep the Corvette and Ferrari at bay.”

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