From the get-go the #33 car was running perfectly and posted the best times of the field. The brake disks and pads were replaced twice as per schedule, but other than that, the R8 LMS only entered pit lane to refuel, change tires and to swap drivers. The Ingolstadt carmaker lead the race for 22 of the total 24 hours, and at about midnight, tree of these V10 powered R8 sportscars occupied the top positions.
However, while Audi Sport Team WRT also celebrated fourth overall for the #32 car, Audi Sport Team Phoenix did not enjoy the favor of the racing gods. Their car had to be retired at abut 1AM as damp conditions caused it to slide off the track, resulting in the #99 R8 LMS being retired. The #98 sister car was hit by a slower car on the left rear wheel while fighting for the lead towards the end of the third hour. Shortly after that, the car lost second gear and developed a puncture.
“Vincent Vosse’s team really did a fantastic job during its home race,” explained Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Mattias (Ekstrom), Greg (Franchi) and Timo (Scheider) drove fast and without mistakes – and it was exactly this that was the key to victory this weekend alongside the reliability and speed of the R8 LMS. Unfortunately our other three cars were rather unlucky and especially Ernst Moser’s squad. That’s why it was almost like Le Mans at the end: After just a fewhours we only had one iron still in the fire – but we won with this car. This shows our strong nerves and team spirit because everybody helped to take the win with the only remaining car.”
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