Mortara scythed past eventual winner Pascal Wehrlein on lap 8 with a tremendous run out of the Peraltada corner – getting a run on Wehrlein and diving past into Turn 1.
The Swiss driver then began to build a lead but came under fire from Jean-Eric Vergne in the middle portion of the race before getting leapfrogged by both Porsches as the German manufacturer began to stake its control over the race.
Porsche ensured that the race would reach 40 laps, asking Wehrlein to increase his pace to ensure that he crossed the line for his 39th lap before the clock ticked down to zero.
Mortara says Venturi expected the race to run to 40 laps but added that the team was slow to respond to the Porsches out front.
“We were [expecting it], but we did revert to the extra lap strategy quite late compared to the others,” Mortara reflected. “They started early, and this is making quite big difference like in terms of energy.
“It was difficult because I don’t think that we had the right…
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