FIA WEC, 6 Hours of Sao Paulo - Hour 5

A 1:23.419, fastest lap of the race so far from Lapierre signals intent - This is all about putting a lap on the #1 Audi right now - the gap he needs to close to do so is around 4 seconds plus all that Andre Lotterer can muster in defence.

Dalziel has lapped the second placed #24 Oak Morgan Nissan and Kraihamer then blots his copybook by costing Lapierre time in his pursuit of that lapping for Lotterer.

The smog is rolling in now and that's not making life any easier for the crews either.

Lap 172 for the leader and he'll be right on the tail of Lotterer before the end of this one - A bit of GT traffic interferes with that and Lapierre pits after his lap 173, Lotterer gets a bit of a breather! 

Lapierre stays aboard , the Audis have got their foot down and the gap on track between Lapierre and Lotterer is 30 seconds, di Grassi a further 16 seconds back.

Disaster for the #35 Morgan as Kraihamer cruises to a stop at Turn 12 - Looks like its all over for the second Morgan Nissan as #24 goes through to claim the place - Dalziel pits in the leading HPD with an amazing 2 lap cushion! Sarrazin rejoins.

Nick Leventis meanwhile is aboard the Strakka HPD for the first time in the race, we're currently unsure what cost the team an additional 90 seconds in a pit stop earlier, effectively ending a challenge for the petrol powered lead.

The Pecom Oreca Nissan is up to third in LMP2 - more solid points for the #49 crew looking likely.

Neel Jani pops in an excellent 1:24.8 in the 4th placed #12 Rebellion, faster that time around than any of the factory cars and just two laps back from the third placed Audi - They can't afford to stumble!  

Lotterer pits from second (fuel only), di Grassi moves ahead - just over 90 minutes remain.

Lotterer emerges 4 seconds shy from being lapped by the leader - the chase is on again.

Audi are readi for di Grassi to make his first stop as Sarrazin pops in the fastest lap of Starworks race thus far.  Is that needed, is there a dynamic emerging between the teams pros? Time for cool heads boys!!

di Grassi pits after lap 185 and is lapped by Lapierre, who is, in turn turning the screww on a highly resistant Lotterer.

Harold Primat is closing in fast on Nick Leventis in a battle for 5th.

Darren Turner is making little impact on the leading #51 Ferrari now - A waiting game?

The #50 Larbre Vette meanwhile is comfortably leading the GTE AM class after a so far untroubled run whilst the class opposition have all hit trouble.  

There's contact between Leventis and Primat as the Rebellion man looked to pass up the inside - At first viewing it looked a simple mistake from the Strakka man but a wider shot saw the JWA Avila Porsche spinning on its own on the exit of the corner - Was leventis moving to avoid a collision? The LMP1s continue unscathed after gathering up their spins!

Lapierre finally completes the lapping of Lotterer on lap 193 - This is a stunning performance from Toyota Racing.

4th in LMP2 is the metronomic Greaves Motorsport Zytek Nissan, Elton Julian at the wheel now after an impressive debut from Roberto Gonzales with a triple stint.

Cars #70 (3rd in GTE Am), #24 (2nd in LMP2) and #61 (4th in GTE Am are all reported for speeding in pit lane - trips to the naughty step expected for all three. - #24 gets a stop and 30 second hold - That's going to put the Pecom car mighty close for position. #61 gets the same slap down.

Fisichella pits after a very strong stint in the leading #51 AF Corse 458 - Mucke will be close behind now but still has that fuel disadvantage.  The gap is 12 seconds - with Lieb a further 33 seconds back.

As we move into the final hour Nicolet takes his penalty.