Audi takes lead at Le Mans
- With consistency and efficiency to the top of the field
- Capello/Kristensen/McNish in first position after 3 hours
- All three Audi R10 TDI prototypes in the Top Five
With consistency and efficiency Audi has taken the lead during the third hour of the Le Mans 24-Hour race. At 6 p.m., the #2 Audi R10 TDI driven by Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish held a 35.7-second lead of the second placed Peugeot.
The Peugeots were setting the faster times in the opening stages of the race. During the first three hours, however, the Audi R10 TDI cars were increasing their pace. Also, they were able to stretch out twelve laps of a tank of Shell V-Power Diesel while the competition had to stop one lap earlier every time – another proof for the efficiency and the low fuel consumption of the Audi TDI technology.
As usual, Audi Sport Team Joest showed perfect pit-stops allowing Allan McNish to take the lead for the first time shortly after 5 p.m. The Scotsman completed four stints in a row before handing over the R10 TDI to Dindo Capello after 2:45 hours.
Lucas Luhr stayed as long at the wheel of the Audi R10 TDI with starting number 3 which was running in fourth position at 6 p.m. On the #1 Audi R10 TDI, the front bodywork had to be changed at the third pit stop. Despite that, last year’s winners were able to improve from seventh on the grid to position five.