Audi R18 e-tron quattro [LMP1]
In a grid of more than 50 competitors, the battle for overall victory at Le Mans is expected to come down to the efforts of two manufacturers - the LMP1 prototypes of Audi and Toyota.During an interview with YouTube channel Drive, Audi head engine engineer Ulrich Baretzky, he considered the inherent horsepower advantages of a gasoline powered engine and expected for the Toyota TS030 to be quicker around Circuit de la Sarthe than the diesel Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Surprise surprise, the e-tron quattro locked out 1-2 on the starting grid, posting a fastest lap of 3:25.453. The #1 Audi is driven by team Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Tréluyer. Team Joest Racing

Central Euro Summer Time* 3:00 PM- Race end! Congratulations to Audi Sports' 1-2-3-5 finish. The brand-new pair of Audi R18 e-tron quattro, #1 Lotterer/Fässler/Treyuler and the #2 Kristensen/McNish/Capello, finish the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans with a historical 1-2. Once again, Audi re-affirms its Le Mans dominance.

Unfortunately, both Toyota hybrids were taken out before the 12-hour mark. The #8 suffered a high speed collision after connecting with a GTE-Amateur Ferrari 458 Italia on the Mulsanne straight. The #7 receives mechanical damages after colliding with the Nissan DeltaWing, another casualty of the race. After an extended pit stop, the #7 retires because of an alternator failure. Nontheless, Toyota deserves commendation for its first hybrid efforts in the grueling race.

Back to the DeltaWing, the team proved the legitimacy of its design. Despite the retirement, the DeltaWing, which has endured a lot of skepticism and cynicism, has proven that ability to endure is exactly what makes the DeltaWing so great. Weird in design, the 300-hp DeltaWing competed strongly against the LMP2 field until it was crashed out by the #7 Toyota TS030 Hybrid. #7 racing driver Kazumi Nakajima walked over to the DeltaWing garage and apologized in person. The fastest lap in the DeltaWing was a 3:45.353.

As for LMP2, the Morgan and Nissan powered racing cars dominated the first quarter of the race but reliability proved too great a test. The rapid and consistent Starworks Motorsport team #44 HPD ARX 03B Honda will be taken to the finish by Ryan Dalziel.

As for the GT competitors, the Corvette Racing suffered a lot of headwind and are finishing uncharacteristically off the podium. A veteran team, there's no doubt that the crew will come back next year with a vengeance. The Aston Martin was off the pace during the mid moments of the race. Heroically, the Vantage V8 clawed its position back from the Corvettes and Porsches to finish on the podium. At the top, the two Ferrari 458 Italia dominated the class and have led the race for generally its entire extent. Congratulations to Gian Carlo Fisichella and the AF Corse racing team.

LMP1 Winners (car, driver, fast lap)--

377 Laps, AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Lotterer 3:25.706
376 Laps, AUDI R18 E-TRON QUATTRO/ Kristensen 3:24.276
374 Laps, AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Rockenfeller 3:25.514
366 Laps, LOLA B12/60 COUPE - TOYOTA/ Prost 3:29.664
365 Laps, AUDI R18 ULTRA/ Duval 3:24.189

LMP2 Winners (car, driver, fast lap)--

353 Laps, HPD ARX 03B Honda/ Dalziel 3:41.024
352 Laps, ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Beche 3:40.728
351 Laps ORECA 03-NISSAN/ Perez Companc 3:39.641

GT Pro Winners (car, driver, fast lap)--

335 Laps FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Fisichella 3:56.953
332 Laps FERRARI 458 ITALIA/ Makowiecki 3:56.024
331 Laps ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE V8/ Fernandez 3:54.928

Related