Toyota Gazoo Racing holds a firm one-two lead at the halfway point of the Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain after nearest challengers Rebellion Racing spent time in the garage with a mechanical issue.
The #7 TS050 Hybrid, currently in the hands of Jose Maria Lopez, had led the race ever since a lap one tangle between Rebellion's Bruno Senna and Ginetta's Charlie Robertson. Rebellion had worked its way back up until it was truck by a mechanical issue in hour three of the race. The #8 Toyota of Kazuki Nakajima now holds second.
In Rebellion's absence, Team LNT has taken up the gauntlet but both Ginetta G60-LT-P1 – AERs are far behind their hybrid opponents. The #5 G60-LT-P1 – AER currently holds third at the hands of Ben Hanley.
In LMP2, United Autosports' lead remains unchallenged from the start. Filipe Albuquerque currently holds the wheel of the #22 ORECA 07-Gibson, ahead of the #26 G-Drive Aurus 01-Gibson of Roman Rusinov. Roberto Gonzalez leads the JOTA duo in third in the #38 ORECA, with Jackie Chan DC Racing stablemate Ho Pin Tung in fourth place.
In GTE Pro, an extremely tight battle between Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin has turned due to issues for the German manufacturer. First, the #92 911 RSR-19 of Kevin Estre of Michael Christensen spent time in the pits, soon followed by a puncture for the #91 of Gianmaria Bruni.
Aston Martin grabbed the lead during the fourth hour when rivals stopped during a full course caution. Maxime Martin remained out on track in the #97 Vantage AMR, and took the lead. That caution was caused by the two Dempsey-Proton Porsche 911 RSRs breaking rule one of racing when Christian Ried's #77 hit the #88 of Khaled al Qubaisi from behind.
Team Project 1 leads GTE Am thanks to superb stint from Larry ten Voorde in the #57 Porsche 911 RSR, who took over from Ben Keating before quickly rising up the ranks and taking the lead away from Gulf Racing's Michael Wainwright.
The order was as follows when the race hit the halfway mark:
LMP1: 1. J. M. Lopez (#7 Toyota), 2. K. Nakajima (#8 Toyota), 3. B. Hanley (#5 Ginetta)
LMP2: 1. F. Albuquerque (#22 ORECA), 2. R. Rusinov (#26 Aurus), 3. R. Gonzalez (#38 ORECA)
GTE Pro: 1. M. Martin (#97 Aston Martin), 2. A. Pier Guidi (#51 Ferrari), 3. M. Sorensen (#95 Aston Martin)
GTE Am: 1. L. Ten Voorde (#57 Porsche) 2. M. Wainwright (#86 Porsche) 3. R. Gunn (#98 Aston Martin)
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