Audi Press Release
- Quick repairs on the #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro
Ingolstadt/Le Mans, June 17, 2012 – Between 8 and 9 a.m. the two Audi R18 e-tron quattros fiercly battled for the lead in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Just after Marcel Fässler had taken over the #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro in first position from André Lotterer he had to avoid a stationary GT car at Mulsanne corner. Driving through the gravel he made contact with the wall. Fässler was able to complete his stint as planned but at the next pit stop the tail and the engine cover had to be changed.
Audi Sport Team Joest completed the repairs within just 61 seconds but the #1 car still dropped behind the other Audi R18 e-tron quattro. At 9 a.m. the two leading cars were seperated by just 0.869 seconds.
The two Audi R18 ultras #4 and #3 kept positions three and four. Loïc Duval kept shining with another series of fastest race laps.
Positions after 18 hours: 1 Audi #2 2 Audi #1 3 Audi #4 -2L 4 Audi #3 -9L 5 Lola-Toyota #12 -9L 6 Lola-Toyota #13 -15L 7 HPD-Honda #22 -17L 8 HPD-Honda #44 -18L 9 HPD-Honda #21 -18L 10 Oreca-Nissan #49 -19L
Time Fact
08:03 #1 Fässler has to avoid a GT car at Mulsanne, goes through
the gravel, rear end damage after contact with the wall
08:04 #3 pit stop from P5, diesel
08:12 #2 pit stop from P2, diesel
08:30 #4 pit stop from P3, diesel, tires, Rockenfeller out, Bonanomi in
08:33 Lap 266: New fastest lap for #3 Duval (3m 25.124s)
08:36 #1 pit stop from P1, diesel, tires, tail and engine cover changed in 61 seconds
08:39 Lap 268: New fastest race lap for #3 Duval (3m 24.740s)
08:40 #2 Kristensen new leader
08:42 Lap 277: #1 Kristensen 46.8s ahead of #2 Fässler
08:43 Lap 269: Another fastest lap for #3 Duval (3m 24.189s)
08:46 #3 pit stop from P4, diesel
08:55 #2 pit stop from P1, diesel
08:56 #2 Kristensen rejoins just ahead of #1 Fässler
08:57 #2 Fässler goes straight in the first chicane while he tries to pass #1 Kristensen
09:00 #2 P1 +0.869 #1 P2 -0.869 #4 P3 -2L #3 -8L
