Even after shortening their odds of winning, due to two horrific accidents – resulting in the loss of both cars, Audi came good and took the overall win at this year’s 24 hours of Le Mans race. The #2 R18 TDI driven by André Lotterer secured Audi’s tenth title, finishing a mere 13.854 seconds ahead of Peugeot’s Simon Pagenaud.
In just the first hour of the race, Alan McNish, in the #3 car, clipped a slower Ferrari on a right-hand bend just after the Dunlop Bridge. The crash was spectaular, seeing the car almost clearing a tyre barrier. Unbelievably McNish walked away, and was later given the all-clear by medical staff.
During the seventh hour, team-mate Mike Rockenfeller ended up hitting an armco barrier after colliding with another Ferrari, but this time just after Mulsanne. Thankfully Rockenfeller was able to free himself from the #1 car, but was kept in hospital overnight as a precautionary measure.
Well done to everyone involved!
1. #2 Audi Audi Sport Team Joest (LMP1)
2. #9 Peugeot Team Peugeot Total (LMP1) + 13.854
3. #8 Peugeot Peugeot Sport Total (LMP1) + 2 Laps
4. #7 Peugeot Peugeot Sport Total (LMP1) + 4 Laps
5. #10 Peugeot Team Oreca-Matmut (LMP1) + 16 Laps
6. #12 Lola Rebellion Racing (LMP1) + 17 Laps
7. #22 Lola Kronos Racing (LMP1) + 27 Laps
8. #41 Zytek Greaves Motorsport (LMP2) + 29 Laps
9. #26 Oreca Signatech Nissan (LMP2) + 35 Laps
10. #33 Lola Level 5 Motorsports (LMP2) + 36 Laps
[Source: Audi Motorsport]