Summary
Highlights
The race class structure is explained: LMP1s were the top, expensive prototypes from Toyota and Porsche (with one less competitive privateer team), boasting 1000 horsepower. LMP2s, including the #38 car, were the secondary class with 650 horsepower. The video sets up the hierarchy, making the LMP2's leading position even more astonishing.
The #38 car, driven by Oliver Jarvis, qualified 9th overall (3rd in class) and quickly took the LMP2 class lead. However, early pit stop issues with its starter motor dropped it to 12th overall. Further struggles ensued when Tom Blomqvist, after a driver change, locked up and hit a wall, further dropping them to 7th in class due to persistent starter motor problems.
The video opens by setting the stage for the 2017 Le Mans race, featuring Tom Blomqvist in an ORECA 07 LMP2 car, incredibly leading the race against much more powerful LMP1 competitors. This immediately poses the question of how an LMP2 car, with significantly less horsepower and downforce, could find itself in such a position against top-tier manufacturers like Toyota and Porsche.
Issues plagued the LMP1 class. Porsche's #2 car faced a brake problem, spending an hour in the garage for extensive repairs. Shortly after, Toyota's #8 car also encountered a severe brake issue, a peculiar and rare failure across different manufacturers within the same class.
The misfortunes continued for Toyota. The leading #7 car suffered a transmission failure after a safety car period, leaving it stranded. Later, the sole remaining contender, the #9 Toyota, got a puncture and its driver, Nicolas Lapierre, drove too fast on the way back to the pits, shredding the tire and damaging the gearbox, forcing it to retire. This left no proper LMP1 manufacturer contenders on track.
With the LMP1s faltering, the #38 and #13 LMP2 cars engaged in a tight battle for top positions, changing leads during pit stops and on track. The #38 eventually gained the class lead and moved up to second overall as other cars faced further mechanical issues and disqualifications.
In a dramatic turn, the leading #1 Porsche lost oil pressure and was forced to retire, leaving the #38 LMP2 car incredibly in the overall lead with only three hours remaining. However, the #2 Porsche, which had lost an hour in the pits earlier, had been relentlessly catching up. Despite the #38's consistent pace and a quick pit stop for a taillight repair, the #2 Porsche's superior pace allowed it to unlap itself and eventually overtake the #38 with just two hours to go. The #2 Porsche, having come back from an hour behind, ultimately won the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans. The #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing by Jota Sport car still secured an impressive LMP2 class victory by three laps and a phenomenal second place overall, making it one of motorsports' greatest underdog stories.