A collision involving four cars from three classes ends Aston Martin’s dreams of GTD Pro victory – Both Acuras lose DPi lead lap.
Another accident after three and a half hours has eliminated one of the favourites from the GTD Pro class at the 24 Hours of Daytona. The 23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin (Gunn/Riberas/Martin) was part of a four-car crash. This means that Aston Martin will not be able to win the GTD Pro class on its debut.
Alex Riberas was involved in an obscure accident with the 75 Sun Energy1 Mercedes (Habul/Proud/Marciello/Schiller) of GTD class driver Kenny Habul shortly after the restart following the second yellow period (more on that below).
Replay of the incident ⬇️pic.twitter.com/odYWL3v8VR
– Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) January 29, 2022
The Aston and Mercedes-AMG were eliminated, Rolf Ineichen’s Lambo miraculously came through unscathed. (Sporting director in hospital after LMP2 accident)
So with my own vision
The 63 just barely making it awayIMSA Rolex24 pic. twitter.com/Z81ec7Y43C
– Polaris (@iiPolaris) January 29, 2022
Subsequently, the 6 Mühlner-Duqueine (Castro/Kranz/Ori/Miller) of Ayrton Ori from LMP3 crashed into the stationary Aston Martin and is also out of the decision. Both incidents were mainly due to the fact that the sun was already very low. You drive right into the setting sun to the west at this point and there was nothing to see.
Both Acura-DPi lose lead lap
It wasn’t the only drama of the late afternoon. Just moments before the big crash, the 10 was also hit by a puncture, and in the most unfavourable place right at the start of the lap. Two laps were lost here.
TROUBLE for the four-time Indy500 winner!@H3lio has a flat tire right after taking the lead. Rolex24
TV: @USA_Network
Commercial-free: @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/GvDtC0sqAY– Motorsports on NBC (@MotorsportsNBC) January 29, 2022
The second yellow phase earlier was caused by a crash of the GMG Porsche 52 (Keating/Jensen/Huffaker/Lapierre). However, the car is still on the lead lap and deliberately made its stop late to prevent other LMP2 cars, one lap down, from lapping back.
Goma destrozada para el Acura 59 Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/SGDW9t7UHs
– Esteban (@egarciapress) January 29, 2022
Another victim is the Crucial-McLaren 01 (van der Zande/Bourdais/Dixon/Palou) is leading after a little more than four hours, but of course nothing is decided yet.
Still on the lead lap:
DPi:
