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Audi triumphs at 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans
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Audi creates history by winning the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans with the hybrid R18 e-tron Quattro
Audi’s hybrid R18 e-tron became the first ever hybrid car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, in the 80th edition of the event. Driven by Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer, the R18 started the race from pole and clinched victory after 24 hours and 378 laps.
The three Audis on the front two rows and the petrol-hybrid Toyota TS030 in third, all were in position to win the legendary race. Five hours into the race, Nicolas Lapierre in the #7 Toyota took the lead ahead of Benoit Treluyer. But it was short lived as the Toyota dropped to second due to a pit stop during the safety car period and later crashed into the experimental Nissan DeltaWing at the restart. Although the Toyota resumed the race after some repairs, engine failure did it in 12 hours into the race.
With the Toyota out of the race, Audi was set for victory but it didn’t come easy as they made contact several times with the walls and other cars. The two Audi hybrids were involved in a thrilling battle throughout Saturday night till Sunday noon, but the #1 Audi that emerged triumphant after a nail-biting battle with the #2 Audi of Allan McNish, Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen. The car met with an accident in the Porsche corner less than three hours before the end. But the Audi Sport Team Joest managed to repair it quick enough to secure a 1-2 for the hybrids. The last podium spot was taken by the R18 Ultra of the Audi Sport North America Team.
It was Audi’s eighth victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in the last ten years. With its eleventh victory at Le Mans, Audi has extended its lead in the World Endurance Championship, while Allan McNish, Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen lead the drivers’ championship table.
It surely was a good day for the Audi team, but it was an equally good day for the only Indian driver in the celebrated race - Karun Chandhok. The JRM racing driver who shared the seat with David Brabham and Peter Dumbreck started from 11th place but the trio drove a brilliant race to finish in sixth place to the chequered flag.
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