Le Mans 24: Four Hours to Go and the Audis Are Racing!

Three seconds separate the two Audi R18 e-tron quattros twenty hours into the 80th Le Mans 24.

Benôit Treluyer in the #1 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro leads Allan McNish in the #2 car by three seconds, and McNish is closing.

With both Toyotas retired and none of the privateers able to mount a credible threat, the leading Audis are battling between themselves for the honor of winning the Le Mans 24.

Dindo Cappello told Eurosport.com that there were no team orders; the crews had been told not to make any foolish maneuvers to wreck one another. Otherwise, have at it.

The hybrid Audis are both lapping two seconds and a fraction faster than the two Audi R18 Ultras; further, the #4 Ultra has had electrical problems affecting the transmission. The Hybrids, which Audi would prefer to see in Victory Circle, have had no mechanical problems at all.

The race might come down to fuel mileage. Tom Kristensen in the #2 saved fuel on his stint, going an extra two laps and gaining an edge over the #1. Allan McNish is a thirstier driver, and might lose the fuel advantage even though he might be quicker on track.

To add to the tension, there is a prediction of possible rain before the race ends.

The other really close battle is the GTE-Am class contest, where the #50 Larbre Corvette and the #67 IMSA Matmut Porsche have been trading the lead on pit stops. The Corvette leads now, but owes a pit stop.

Ryan Dalziel still leads P2 by a lap in the #44 Starworks HPD-Honda, and Gianni Bruni in the #51 AF Corse Ferrari leads GTE-Pro by three laps.