Audi Motorsport wins the big event. See the full 24h Le Mans Results sheet posted below.
This third win was achieved after having endured a big technical glitch which could have cost them the victory were it not for issues suffered by their opponents.
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Audi Motorsport Director): “After the first two rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship, we weren’t the favourites, but it wasn’t the first time that we’d been in this situation. We had to find solutions to run at the 24 Hours without issues, incidents, clashes, and by spending a minimum amount of time in the pit. It was impossible to follow the No. 7 Toyota’s pace up until it retired. The lap times got tighter but it was impossible to catch up to it. And finally, what makes the 24 Hours of Le Mans unique happened: issues for everyone.”
Marcel Fässler (No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro driver, Audi Sport Team Joest, LM P1): “During the night, we tried to put as much pressure as possible on the lead Toyota. When we had to change out our turbocompressor, I was the one in the car. I told myself our lost five laps were going to be impossible to make up and that we could never come back.”
André Lotterer (No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro driver, Audi Sport Team Joest, LM P1): “I was with Benoît when I learned the turbo had to be changed out. We were all the more disappointed that it’s a part that never breaks. In our pit, I saw very motivated mechanics around our car. They know that at Le Mans it’s never over until the checkered flag is presented. And afterwards, when we took the track, I was very pleased at the wheel.”
Benoît Tréluyer (No. 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro driver, Audi Sport Team Joest, LM P1): “To win at Le Mans is always very emotional. It’s also a team victory, and it’s always a pleasure to share that feeling. I would first of all like to thank Marcel and André who did the work during the night. They brought back a good car for Sunday morning which allowed us to react at the right moment. Today, it was the one with the least misfortune who won.”