Le Mans 24 Hours - Hour 7

The safety car stays out for the first 15 minutes of the hour, despite messages staying on the bottom of the screen that it will come in. This causes confusion for the teams. Also confusing were two incidents under safety car conditions. First, Manuel Rodrigues in the #14 Kolles Audi R10 hits the barrier hard with the left front at the right kink before Indianapolis - he brings it to the pits but there is quite a lot of damage.

Second, Leventis spins the P2-leading Strakka HPD into the gravel on the inside of the Dunlop chicane. He doesn't lose much time but does have to be pulled out by a tractor - he pits at the end of the lap as the safety car comes in.

Minassian was split from Wurz by a different safety car so is over two minutes behind now.

Capello is the Audi in the Lola Aston Martin sandwich.

The Flying Lizard car had to replace a radiator after an accident, but after a lap with the new radiator in, it became clear that the car couldn't continue to run, so the car was pulled.

The word from JMW is that the car has severe front-end damage and the mechanics are advising Bryce Miller on what he needs to do. If he can do it, it is expected to be several hours before he gets it back to pitlane.

After the pitstops Gavin, whose #64 was brought in during the safety car, is back ahead of the Risi Ferrari after it stops and Melo takes over. These two are fighting it out for the lead again. Magnussen is about a minute further back.

In GT1 Gardel is chasing Goueslard for third place.

Emanuele Pirro: "The car is really nice now. We had a little problem with smoke coming into the cockpit with a hose burning a little on the exhaust, but that is fixed now. It is a shame we lost so much time. If we had been able to do more work on set-up then I think we could have run with less downforce, but it is too late for that now."

Jean Alesi: "The fight is between the top cars and it is fun! So far, so good; the car is quick. I had a few problems to start because I don't like to drive when the track is green, but it is much better now so I could push."

Marco Andretti was anxious to get into the #12 Rebellion Lola but explained they had gearbox problems, and whilst some work had been done, they were still getting problems with gearbox oil pressure rising. Prost is in the low 3:33s though as he completes what must be the final laps of his stint, so hopefully the gearbox is holding out after all.

Cyndie Allemann: "Something on the oil system broke and it went on fire. I've not seen Natacha yet but she is fine." Just as she said that, Gachnang arrived back in the pits in tears and was comforted by the Matech team.

Gavin and Melo are absolutely together and both setting their car's fastest laps. #64 and #82 are giving the show of the race so far, even though #82 started from the back. Melo takes the lead up the inside of the Corvette at Indianapolis - what a move.

Werner has taken the lead over Strakka's Jonny Kane and is pushing hard to try to extend his 50 second lead. Kane is keeping him more or less honest for now.

JMW also has severe damage to the right rear with no wheel, no brake disc and no upright. The right front wheel is hanging off, the car can't be brought back and has been withdrawn. Bryce Miller is understandably distraught.

Pat Long is gaining on Richard Lietz, the two Porsches running together on track; both moving up to fourth and fifth in class as Fisichella hands over to Vilander.

Rockenfeller runs wide in the Porsche curves and Treluyer seizes the opportunity to come through alongside the pit entry. The three Peugeots are on the lead lap, Wurz 1:15 from Minassian, Panis 1:30 back. Capello is on a charge, with his low 3:22s decimating Mucke's 20 second lead. AMR's reign as the interloper in the Audi / Peugeot fight are numbered.

Melo and Gavin are giving us an ALMS-style treat still, absolutely nothing in it. Superb stuff. Magnussen wants to join in and is running in the low 3:58s, chipping away at his 70 second deficit to the two ahead. Gavin runs it up the inside into the Playstation chicane, leads to the Michelin chicane, then Melo mirrors the manouevre to retake the lead there.

Kane is back in the lead in P2 as Brabham takes over from Werner. Kane is searing along in the low 3:35s and high 3:34s to ensure Brabs will have his work cut out.

GG/PS/ML

Hour 7 Recap

This safety car session was nearly as badly botched as the previous one, with the GT1 leading Ford getting caught by a red flag at the pit exit. (In fairness Janos the period wasn't botched - but the rules have been!)

Meanwhile, Manu Rodrigues has boarded the No. 14 Kolles Audi and is continuing his tradition of spinning during every one of his stints - this time at reduced speed under caution. Nick Leventis was another to spin during the neutralization, the Strakka HPD losing the class lead to the Highcroft car.

The GT2 battle continued in scintillating style with Melo passing Gavin after the Corvette had gained the lead from a quicker pit stop. The No. 60 Ford did regain the GT1 lead after the race restart when the temporary class leader, the No. 72 Corvette, made a stop. The sister Alphand Corvette, No. 73, has been in the garage for some time.

The No. 63 Corvette is in a good third in GT2, but the fourth place in class is very much in doubt. It is between two Porsches, Lietz (No. 77) ahead or Long (No. 76). Further forward there is a similar intra-marque situation, this time between teammates. The No. 9 Audi of Rockenfeller was caught and passed by Treluyer in No. 8.

But it’s the GT2 fight all over again, making it seem like a 20-lap sprint. Gavin passes Melo at one chicane, the Ferrari takes it back at the other kink. The hour was somewhat quieter regarding retirements.