Starting in fifth position on the grid behind two Peugeot 908s and two Audi R18s,  Team ORECA-Matmut has had a good early race.  The team has had a good strategy so far, holding the lead on several occasions. After three hours of racing, Nicolas Lapierre, Nicolas Minassian and Marc Gené have had an error-free run to maintain third place, behind Team Peugeot Total and Audi Sport !

« The start was not easy» explains Nicolas Lapierre. « With the second set of tyres, the car was better.  Team ORECA-Matmut did a great job in the pits and the decisions taken during safety car periods were the right ones.  During the second restart, I was able to take advantage of a clear track.  Even if the race is still young, it’s always nice to be in the lead of such an event !  The traffic is dense and the track is already very dirty : the GT cars cut a lot.  It’s tricky.  Our race has been positive and we must continue along this route. »

Race action. Fifth on the grid, Nicolas Lapierre takes a prudent start. He regains his position in the fourth lap to maintain his place in the top 5.  The first safety car period occurs in after the first quarter hour.  Faster in the pits, Team ORECA-Matmut leaves the pits ahead of an Audi R18 and a Peugeot 908.  The team is still in fifth when the safety car makes its second appearance, shorty before the one hour mark.  The leaders pit and the No. 10 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP inherits the lead. They keep the lead until the third safety car, when Nicolas Lapierre pits for fuel.  He rejoins in second place, and reaches first place in the third hour.  After 88 laps, Marc Gené takes over the controls and the Spaniard follows the No. 1 Audi, who makes an impromptu stop.  This hands the lead back to Team ORECA-Matmut, who pass the quarter race mark as leaders.  They relinquish the lead after 101 laps to the No. 8 Peugeot 908. After three hours and a routine pitstop during the fourth yellow flag, the team is running in third, a few seconds behind Team Peugeot Total and Audi Sport.