Toyota leads as rain torments Le Mans 24 Hours – Morning report

Toyota leads the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours following a severely disrupted night at the Circuit de la Sarthe, due to a constant heavy rain shower. 

Ferrari did have a one-two ahead of sunset, however, the Italian manufacturer's pace disappointed in wet conditions which were present throughout the night. 

Multiple safety car periods were required through the night, the first which lasted an hour to repair a barrier. Unfortunately, a four-hour safety car followed in the early hours of the morning, with green flag racing having only resumed at 08:15 am local time (07:15 am BST).

When racing finally resumed, the #8 Toyota led the field and remained in the lead as the race hit the 17-hour mark. 

Despite having fallen outside the top 10 ahead of the headlights being switched on, the #6 Porsche which started the race on pole had recovered to second. 

Incredibly, the first eight cars in the Hypercar category was all on the lead lap, when the long safety car concluded. 

When it ended, Nyck de Vries was forced to pit the #7 Toyota due to being unable to see, whilst the #83 AF Corse Ferrari which had been leading was down in sixth. The #83 lost several places early in the night following a 30-second stop/go penalty, after Robert Kubica caused a collision.

The #Toyota is in third and both remain in victory contention with further rain forecast, although the circuit is starting to dry as things stand. Unfortunately, both Alpine Hypercars are out following a "suspected engine issue".

Other classes

In LMP2, the race continues to be led by the #10 Vector Sport car, which leads the class by just over five seconds. 

The #183 AF Corse car is second in the category after starting in ninth, following a positive stint through the night. United Autosports #22 remains in third, the position it has retained for the vast majority of the race. 

In LMGT3, there has been considerable change. The #46 Team WRT BMW which featured motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi had been in second but sadly retired from the race. 

The lowest category is being led by the #91 Manthey EMA car, with the top three which has changed several times being completed by the iconic #85 Iron Dames car and the #95 United Autosports car.

There have been eight retirements across all categories. 

Check out the top three in each class below!