Le Mans: Webber heads to the pits

Mark Webber in his Porsche 919 Hybrid competes during the Le Mans 24 hours race. Picture: AFP Source: JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP

THE cruelty of Le Mans has just been rammed home to Mark Webber.

With less than two hours to the finish of the French endurance classic he is limping to the pits with what could be a terminal problem with his Porsche 919 hybrid.

Webber was engaged in a thrilling battle with the Audi R18 of Andre Lotterer, with the balance swinging backwards and forwards over the past three hours, until his drama.

He could only shake his head as he dribbled back to the Porsche pits.

The balance of power at Le Mans this year has shifted several times, with Toyota leading for most of the first 14 hours before an electrical failure.

Then the number 1 Audi of Tom Kristensen took over and, with more than a lap in hand, seemed destined for a clear run to the flag. But that was before an engine problem restricted it to only 200km/h on the track and meant two visits to the pits for mechanical work.

Webber prepares for the warm-up session in Le Mans, France. Source: Getty Images

For Webber, win or lose, Le Mans has been a success after his two failed attempts with Mercedes-Benz in the 1990s.

"We always said we wanted to get to Sunday morning," Webber said.

"If we could see the sun, it would be an achievement. we've done that, and we're really pleased.

The running order with two-and-a-half hours to race is Bernhard in a Porsche, followed on the same lap by Lotterer in the Audi, then Lucas di Grassi in the second surviving Audi but four laps off the pace, followed by the surviving Toyota TS 040 with Anthony Davidson, a further three laps back.

Watch the entire Le Mans 24 Hours LIVE on SPEED this weekend!

Paul Gover is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

Drivers take the start at the 82nd Le Mans endurance race. Source: AFP

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