Audi takes Le Mans 1-2 with R18 e-tron quattro hybrids
Image Gallery (16 images)Audi achieved another near perfect race result at the Le Mans 24 Hour race today taking the first victory of a hybrid vehicle at Le Mans with a stunning 1-2 for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, and filling the third place on the podium with the R18 Ultra Diesel. Both Toyota hybrids didn't finish and neither did the Nissan Delta.
After qualifying so well, with second and sixth places on the grid with the Audi R18 ultra and first and fourth with the two R18 e-tron quattros, the Audi Sport Team Joest R18s were the quickest and most reliable cars in the race.
After 378 laps, last year’s winners Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D) and Benoît Tréluyer (F) at the wheel of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro designated as car number “1” were again the front runners.
Dindo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK) and Allan McNish (GB) were the runners-up and gave the Audi R18 e-tron quattro a one-two result.
Le Mans rookie Marco Bonanomi (I), Oliver Jarvis (GB) and Mike Rockenfeller (D) in the best conventionally powered Audi R18 ultra completed the fourth one-two-three victory for Audi at the Le Mans 24 Hours after 2000, 2002 and 2010.
Romain Dumas (F), Loïc Duval (F) and Marc Gené (E) at the wheel of the second R18 ultra finished in fifth place.
With its eleventh victory at Le Mans, Audi has extended its lead in the World Endurance Championship. Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish as the runners-up recaptured the lead in the drivers’ world championship.
Congratulations to Audi for sure.... It's too bad that the Toyota Hybrid driver got a little to anxious on the restart and literally "took-Out" the Delta Wing Gurney Nissan. It had amazing performance... toping 195 mph on the Mulsanne and amazing lap times even with the limitations it was handed out before the race by organizers.
The entire Delta Wing Team and especially the young at heart Dan Gurney's AAR staff.
Bill Kniegge18th June, 2012 @ 09:29 am PDT
Is there any evidence the the R18 Ultra Diesel driver did not hold back?
Slowburn19th June, 2012 @ 08:20 pm PDT
I concur with Bill above; an amazing performance by Audi.
Seriously sad when the Delta Wing was bumped off the track. The wing is only about 1000 lbs and so low profile that it isn't easily seen by others, some of which have very restricted viewing though the car that hit it had just passed it so presumeably he has his eyes hard left and left the Wing to its fate. Too bad. Would have loved to see it finish as well and the Toyota hybrid, too.
toller22nd June, 2012 @ 09:15 am PDT
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Can you believe my wife prefers her old PROTON to a TOYOTA PRIUS, and my sister in law wont have a computer in the house. I am not a fan of motor sport but it is a good proving ground for the electric car and hybrid.
pointyup17th June, 2012 @ 06:40 pm PDT