Andre Negrao (BRA) / Nicolas Lapierre (FRA) / Mathieu Vaxiviere (FRA) #36 Alpine Elf Matmut, Alpine A480 – Gibson. 09.07.2022. FIA World Endurance Championship, Rd 4, Monza, Italy. – www.xpbimages.com, EMail: [email protected] © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images
Nicolas Lapierre leads the 6 Hours of Monza in the #36 Alpine, after the initial leader and pace setter #708 Glickenhaus is sidelined by engine issues.
Shortly after the three hour mark, smoke was seen billowing from the engine of the Italian-built, Amnerican-flagged car, which is now 35th overall and out of contention.
Prior to this, the car had to serve a drivethrough penalty for speeding under full course yellow. They were given this penalty at the samer time as Henrique Chaves, who’d just taken a 50 second stop/go penalty for pitlane speeding, lost the car at the second chicane and flipped on a sausage kerb.
The car slid across the track on its roof, ending up on drivers left upside down. A safety car was called and was out for some time while the car was mnoved.
In second is the #8 Toyota GR010, Brendon Hartley catching Lapierre on newer tyres. Third is the other #7 Toyota, Kamui Kobayashi behind the wheel.
In LMP2 Jonathan Aberdein in the #28 Jota Oreca 07-Gibson leads, with #34 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07-Gibson’s Esteban Gutierrez in second, six seconds back. Third is the #10 Vector Sport Oreca 07-Gibson of Sebastien Bourdais, a further 10 seconds back. The former leader of the race in LMP2, the #22 United Autosports Oreca 07-Gibson has been delayed with technical issues.
AF Corse continue to lead GTE-Pro 1-2, with James Calado leading in the #51 Ferrari 488 GTE EVO, 12 seconds ahead of teammate Miguel Molina in the sister #52 Ferrari. Nick Tandy is third in the #64 Corvette C8.R.
In GTE-Am, Mikkel Pedersen leads in the #46 Team Project 1 Porsche 911 RSR, with the #85 Iron Dames Ferrari 488 GTE EVO second, with Rahal Frey behind the wheel. The #46 leads by over 40 seconds, but owes a stop on the Iron dames car, meaning it’s all to play for. In third is the #77 Dempsey-Proton porsche 911 RSR-19 of Harry Tincknell.
Keyword: Alpine hold fragile lead over Toyota with 2 hours to go at Monza