norris was the best-placed lmp2 car and was sometimes the fastest overall and gained positions through superior fuel economy before hanson took over the no. 23 vehicle. despite a front nose change at his pit stop, castroneves retook the lead after curran took over from conway when the no. 5 car stopped. castroneves was soon being gained on by albuquerque who relieved fittipaldi. the two drew level when albuquerque used his car's extra torque to get a better exit out of the turn three hairpin. albuquerque overtook castroneves because the latter elected not to risk driving beside him entering the kink. albuquerque opened up a five-second gap before handing the lead back to castroneves ten minutes before the eighth hour ended on pit stop rotation. don yount lost control of the no. 96 turner bmw m6's rear at the bus stop chicane and hit the tyre wall heavily. no caution was needed. soon after, hanson's right-rear tyre blew turning into the bus stop chicane, significantly damaging his car's bodywork. hanson required an engine cover and rear wing replacement and alonso took over from him. castroneves again lost the lead to albuquerque when he overshot his pit box and was half a minute adrift into hour nine. third-placed van der zande picked up another right-rear puncture on the no. 10 wayne taylor car at the bus stop chicane; the carcass delaminated and deranged its bodywork and radiator line, forcing it into the garage for repairs. it dropped ten laps to the overall leader.