Gold standard

Toyota took its third win at Le Mans, but not without drama, while United Autosport triumphed in LMP2 and Aston Martin in the GTE Pro and Am classes

-  ANDREW COTTON

The 2020 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours was never going to be a classic, despite the best efforts of those trying to equalise the performance. Ultimately, Toyota finished up winning the race as expected, five laps ahead of the Rebellion, as also expected, but what was unusual was the winning car spent 10 minutes longer on pit road due to a brake duct issue that lost two laps, and the third-placed Toyota had a long stop to change the exhaust manifold and turbo.

Those events should have put them within reach of the Rebellion that, for much of the race, had a trouble-free run. Other than a slightly longer stop to change the nose on Sunday, the ORECA-chassis entered by the watch maker made it through the race without fault to record a memorable podium at what was the last Le Mans for the team.

The ByKolles had another ignominious race that ended with a crash on Saturday night, Bruno Spengler spinning at Dunlop Curves. But although the car has been developed in-house, it was a long way off the pace from the start.

In the LMP2 category, United Autosport won a dramatic and fiercely fought race between two ORECA chassis, Gibsonpowered cars, one on Goodyear tyres, the winner on Michelin. Strategy, speed and the ability of the third driver was key to the result in the second-tier class.

Aston Martin celebrated a double win in the GT categories, winning both the Pro and Am classes with its Vantage models. The victory in the Pro class came after extensive testing in Aragon to ensure the Alcon brakes were able to go the full distance without change. The other contenders did change at least the fronts, but further work on aero and set-up meant the Aston’s rear tyres would also last a full double stint, unlike 2019.

LMP1