We all expected to see a tough battle between the Audi and Peugeot teams, and we were right. In the early laps, both Audi R18 TDI did pass second-place starter Montagny aboard his Peugeot 908 (No and took off in pursuit of pole-sitter Bourdais aboard the lead Peugeot (No 7).

Several laps into the race, then leader Allan McNish (Audi No 2) had to pit after two slight hits, losing 1’10’’ to the leaders to get the bodywork fixed in addition to planned normal pit stop activities. His team mate, Timo Bernhard (Audi No 1) took over the lead before the end of the first hour.

Right from the start, Peugeot and Audi have adopted different tire strategies, as the French team changes tires every second pit stop while Audi changes at every stop. Bourdais (No 7 Peugeot) did not change tires on his second stop and the time saved in the pits allowed him to grab the lead at that point.

The No 7 Peugeot 908 dropped from the lead during their third stop, as Marcel Fassler (Audi N°1) took over the top spot. Fassler et Sarrazin then fought hard during the third hour of racing, before the Frenchman found an opening past the Audi on lap 114. Anthony Davidson in the other Peugeot also got by the German car two laps later.

Davidson showed some fine form as he then got by teammate Sarrazin to put himself in the lead on lap 121. At mid-race, the two Peugeot 908 lead the race in front of the No 1 Audi, as the second Audi was just called back into the pits by Team management.

The “petrol” LMP1 group is led by the OAK Racing No 24, in front of the No 12 Lola-Toyota Rebellion and the No 007 Aston Martin that lost time in a small incident.

The LM GTE Pro class champions will be determined here today, and both factory BMW M3s lead the No 59 ferrari, The quick AF Corse No 51 Ferrari 458 Italia has been slowed by a suspension problem.

6 hours of Zhuhai 2011, Anthony Davidson, Audi, Michelin, mid race, Peugeot, Stéphane Sarrazin