6H Shanghai Underway After Safety Car Start

Photo: John Dagys

The Six Hours of Shanghai is underway following the second consecutive start to a FIA World Endurance Championship race under a safety car due to rain.

Cars circulated under the safety car for the opening four laps prior to the green, which saw the pole-sitting No. 17 Porsche 919 Hybrid of Brendon Hartley take an early lead.

There was drama, however, for the sister Porsche of Marc Lieb, following contact with Andre Lotterer on the opening restart lap that resulted in the No. 18 Porsche becoming high-sighted on a curb.

Moments later, the No. 47 KCMG Oreca 05 Nissan of Nick Tandy also spun and was stranded on track, which brought out the second safety car period.

Both cars have since rejoined, just as the race has returned to green with less than 30 minutes complete.

Sam Bird leads the way in LMP2, with Toni Vilander (GTE-Pro) and Pedro Lamy (GTE-Am) out front in the production-based ranks.

Rain continues to fall, although conditions do not appear to be worsening.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John