The No.17 Porsche 919 Hybrid driven by Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley led from the two Audi Sport Team Joest R18 etron quattro LMP1 racers.

However, it was by no means a straight forward race for Porsche as both cars encountered problems in the opening hours of the race.

Timo Bernhard, who had started the race in the No.17 Porsche 919 Hybrid was forced to make an early pit stop to change the front portion of the cars bodywork. Mark Webber took over in the cockpit and re-joined the track to battle fiercely with the Audi’s, while the No.18 Porsche opened up a large gap at the head of the field.

Neel Jani had broken free at the front of the field before handing over to Marc Lieb. Their lead however was compromised in the second hour when they were handed the first of three stop/go penalties for using excessive fuel. This was a multiple breach of Article 65E of Appendix 4 of the Technical Regulations which governs the limitation of gasoline instantaneous flow.

The penalties dropped the No.18 Porsche, now back in the hands of Jani, down to fourth place and off the lead lap as the race entered the fourth hour.

The No.18’s misfortune left the No.17 car with a healthy lead at the front as Bernhard, enjoying his second stint in the car, held a one minute lead over the Audi’s. At one stage, after Marc Lieb had completed the first of the three penalties, the two Porsches fought wheel-to-wheel and almost touched at turn two.

The second placed No.7 Audi R18 etron quattro had to pit early in the first hour after Marcel Fassler suffered a right rear puncture, but was still able to engage in a thrilling battle with the sister car for track position in the second hour.

In LMP2 there was a threeway battle for the lead as the Le Mans winning KCMG ORECA 05-Nissan and the pair of G-Drive Racing Ligier-Nissan LMP2 cars fought.

Initially, the advantage was with the KCMG ORECA as Nick Tandy converted his hard won pole position in to a solid lead. G-Drive fought back in the second and third hours and after the second scheduled stop, Roman Rusinov emerged in the lead after a fine opening two stints by Sam Bird.

The KCMG car, now in the hands of Matt Howson, hunted down the Russian driver and pulled off a fine manoeuvre in to turn one, to re-take the class lead.

The second G-Drive Racing Ligier placed third after a great start from Pipo Derani. The Brazilian rookie overtook the Signatech Alpine for third place in the early stages before handing over to team mate Gustavo Yacaman.