WATCH: Rain chaos hits 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours

Peugeot has assumed the lead of the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours with strategies thrown up in the air by a plethora of incidents and rain.

A number of heavy crashes triggered slow zones in the opening three hours of proceedings with the #8 Toyota seemingly in command after a strong opening to the race by Sebastian Buemi.

But a deluge of rain between Indianapolis and the end of the lap, particularly at the Porsche Curves, led to carnage as drivers struggled with aquaplaning.

The #709 Glickenhaus Hypercar, #31 Prema LMP2 and the #83 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari LMGTE all hit the barriers at the Porsche Curves, whilst the #3 Cadillac Hypercar was lucky to escape without damage when spinning at the same spot.

This brought out the safety, with the #94 Peugeot leading the #38 Hertz Team Jota Porsche and the #50 Ferrari AF Corse.