Audi win Le Mans 24 Hour 2014

Well… that is it for another year as the legendary Le Mans 24 hour race ticked its final few seconds away. The big boys in LMP1 that promised quite the battle did not disappoint, and the rest of the field put on a fantastic show as well. Porsche VS Audi VS Toyota was obviously the headline act and with the four rings hungry for their 13th victory at Le Mans, tensions were high. In a tale almost as complex as the final chicane Audi win Le Mans 24 Hour 2014.

Audi did not bring the fastest LMP1 car out of the bunch with the Toyota and Porsche 919 Hybrid showing some amazing race pace with its unique energy recovery system. At the beginning the number 8 Toyota TS040 which had won the first two rounds of WEC took the lead from its sister car. However, after heavy rain, an accident in car 8 involving a slower GT car and also the number 3 Audi set them back. The Toyota lost 8 laps whilst repairs went on, but a stunning drive from Anthony Davidson, Nicolas Lapierre and Sebastien Buemi resulted in them finishing 3rd overall. Mark Webber in his new Porsche held the lead at times. During the night the then leading Toyota retired with electrical problems. The second Porsche 919 dropped out at 1PM on Sunday with a gearbox failure. Webber’s Porsche which was leading in the closing hours hit problems and began to slow. Audi, whilst not the fastest, were ready to recapture the lead and so the race ended with two Audi’s crossing the line first.

It was the number 2 Audi R18 Quattro that took the flag reminding everyone that “to finish first, first to have to finish.” Class victories for the Jota Nissan, Ferrari, and Aston Martin followed.