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24H Le Mans

GTE-Pro Lead Battle Takes Center Stage After Fourth Hour

Corvette, Aston Martin, Ferrari scrapping after four hours…

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

While the LMP1 class continues with a Porsche vs. Audi battle up front, a battle of three manufacturers is occurring at the head of the GTE-Pro class field in the 83rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans after four hours.

Tommy Milner in the No. 64 Corvette C7.R, Darren Turner in the No. 97 Aston Martin Vantage V8, Fernando Rees in the No. 99 Aston Martin Vantage V8 and Davide Rigon in the No. 71 AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia were all covered by less than five seconds after the race restarted from its second safety car period.

Rees led coming out of the safety car period before Rigon got past shortly thereafter. But once Rigon got caught in traffic, he fell back behind Milner and Turner, who seized the opportunity against the less experienced driver at Le Mans.

Turner then hounded Milner for a period of time, although his charge was halted when just before the fourth hour he spun on his own at the first chicane on the Mulsanne straight.

It dropped Turner about 10 seconds back of Milner, now leading in the sole remaining factory Corvette, Rees and Rigon.

Brendon Hartley continues to lead overall in the No. 17 Porsche 919 Hybrid, ahead of Filipe Albuquerque in the No. 9 Audi R18 e-tron quattro.

RESULTS: Hour 4

Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) is Sportscar365's North American Editor, focusing on coverage of the IMSA-sanctioned championships as well as Pirelli World Challenge. DiZinno also contributes to NBCSports.com and other motorsports outlets. Contact Tony

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