Audi R10 TDI leads in the rain
- Capello/Kristensen/McNish retake lead at Le Mans
- Advantages for the Audi drivers in the rain
- One-lap lead after 19 hours
The battle between Audi and Peugeot keeps thrilling the spectators at the Le Mans 24 Hours. During the night, Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish remained in contact to the leading Peugeot before they retook the lead in the early morning hours when it started to rain.
On the wet track, the Audi R10 TDI cars were a class of their own on early Sunday morning. Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish were able to put almost a full lap on the second placed Peugeot 908. Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Dindo Capello lapped the Peugeot.
The two other Audi R10 TDI prototypes threatened the third placed Peugeot in the rain. Five hours before the end of the race, the top five was covered by just two laps.
Audi Sport Team Joest’s three Audi R10 TDI cars continued to run without any technical problems throughout the whole night. All pit stops were perfect, and the Audi drivers were almost faultless in the difficult conditions.
When the rain started, it paid off that Audi had opted for a set-up which was a good compromise for both a dry and a wet track and that the Audi R10 TDI is good to drive in the rain. The Audi drivers also enjoyed a better view in their open cockpit compared to the competitors in the closed cars.
The 76th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours will definitely make it into the history books as one of the most exciting and will end on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Audi has the chance to clinch a second hat-trick after 2000, 2001 and 2002: three Le Mans victories in a row with the same team. Since the year 2000, Audi technology is undefeated at Le Mans.