Audi Reclaims 24 Hours of Le Mans

Le Mans, France (AHN) – Peugeot took its turn atop the podium a year ago, but on Sunday it was Audi that reclaimed its spot at the top when the manufacturer finished 1-2-3 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Audi has won the race nine of the last 11 years and it was the No. 9 Audi Sport North America ride driven by Timo Bernhard that crossed the finish line first in a record number of mileage covered in the event. Bernhard joined Mike Rockenfeller and Romain Dumas as the winning trio.

Rockenfeller became a piece of history as he won both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same year.

“It’s unbeleievable. What can I say? I didn’t expect it, like at Daytona. We did a good, clean job and we were lucky that our main competitior had so many problems,” said Rockenfeller. “Finally, after the struggle I had here at Le Mans I won Le Mans.”

The No. 8 Audi took runner-up honors and third belonged to the No. 7 of Audi Sport Team Joest as Audi swept the podium in the ultimate endurance test of man and machine — a race contested since 1923.

Straka Racing in the No. 42 English-based ride captured the LMP2 class title.

“It’s an absolute unbelieveable feeling,” said driver Nick Leventis, on the winning drivers on the No. 42 ride.

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