After a mere 14th months since joining the WEC ranks, it was the two rookies of Nico Hulkenberg and Earl Bamber and former GT driver Nick Tandy that upset the Le Mans form guide by beating home both sister cars and the seemingly impervious Audi outfit.
The number 19, 919 Hybrid enjoyed a largely trouble-free race other than a precautionary stop to change rear bodywork on the Sunday morning – but even that was executed under the benefit of safety car conditions. Previous to taking the lead, the crew had been on the losing side of safety car conditions, but the law of averages swung in their favour one third through the event and was in the leading pack at the time of the restart.
It was then that Hulkenberg pounced on the number 17 Porsche of Mark Webber (Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley), passing the Australian and setting up a platform for team-mate Nick Tandy to work on during the night; the cooler conditions apparently suiting the younger squad.
“I think that was the key to our victory”, said Tandy. “Those cooler conditions suited the way our car was working… The track came to us when the track temperature came down at dusk.”
The number 19 Porsche proved to be equal on pace until nightfall, but squandered any chance of a fight-back when it incurred a one-minute penalty for passing under yellows. Losing an estimated 1 minute and 30 seconds alone in the pits wasn’t key to losing the race, but it certainly wouldn’t have done them any favours. That said, their recovery from fourth to second put them well out of reach of the closest Audi of Andre Lotterer, Marcel Fassler and Benoit Treluyer.
The number 7 Audi eTron R18 remained in contention until Sunday morning, until its rear bodywork decided it had better places to be after exiting the Porsche Curves.
Race - 24 Hours of Le Mans
Image: John Rourke / Adrenal Media