Kevin Estre leads at the 2 hour mark at Fuji, as the Belgian, in the #6 Porsche 963, continues to hold off the two Toyotas.
His teammate Laurens Vanthoor took the lead at the start and built a gap as the two Toyota GR010 Hybrids, with Mike Conway in the #7 Toyota and Sebastien Buemi in the #8, at the wheel, were stuck behind the two Ferrari 499Ps, lacking pace today, for much of the first hour.
Vanthoor and the Penske-run Porsche factory team also benefitted from a faster pitstop than the Toyotas. Vanthoor stopped around five laps earlier, which is presumed to be a strategic decision. Most teams changed left side tyres only at the first stop, changing a full set at the second round of stops.
Jose Maria Lopez sits second in the #7 Toyota, 10 seconds behind Estre. Ryo Hirakawa is third in the #8 Toyota.
Antonio Giovinazzi is fourth in the #51 Ferrari 499P, with Nicklas Nielsen in the #50 Ferrari 499P is fifth in the sister #50 Ferrari, with Stoffel Vandoorne, in his Hypercar debut, sixth in the #94 Peugeot 9X8.
United Autosports have a 1-2 in LMP2, positions they’ve held for much of the race. Frederick Lubin leads in the #22 United Autosports Oreca 07-Gibson, while his teammate Oliver Jarvis in the sister #23 machine is second.
Robert Kubica in the #41 WRT Oreca 07-Gibson is third, 12 seconds back from Jarvis.
Ben Keating leads the close as ever GTE-Am class, in the #3 Corvette C8.R. He’s been battling for the podium positions all race with a variety of drivers, including second-placed Riccardo Pera in the #86 GR Racing Porsche 911 RSR-19. Third is Michelle Gatting in the #85 Iron Dames Porsche 911 RSR-19.
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