Audi turn disaster into triumph and win the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 79th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours was a real rollercoaster ride for the Audi Sport team. The 2011 race had extreme lows during the race, but ended on the best possible high when the No. 2 Audi Sport Team Joest car crossed the line to win at Le Mans. The combination of young drivers, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer & Benoit Tréluyer took the chequered flag a nail biting 14 seconds ahead of the next nearest car; The Peugeot 908.
It seems a long time ago, but 56 cars started the race in dry conditions on Saturday afternoon in front of packed grandstands and viewing areas all around the circuit. After a hectic fist lap where cars were 3 abreast along the Mulsanne straight, things began to settle with the 3 Audis setting the early pace and the Peugeots pushing them all the way.
Le Mans 2011 Start
Disaster struck the Aston Martin Racing LMP1 effort very early. Having completed a mere 6 laps between then both the 007 & 009 AMR-Ones were officially retired. This race came a year too early for this project. After 10 and 11 laps in race conditions the leaders were coming in for their fist pit stops. This was a sign of things to come as the quicker Audis pitted a lap before the Peugeots.
Just before the hour mark there was a major accident. Silence fell over the whole circuit after the No. 3 Audi, with fan favourite Allan McNish at the wheel, clipped the Luxury Racing Ferrari near the Dunlop chicane. The minimal impact between the two cars was enough to send the Audi off the track at great speed. The car bounced across the gravel and impacted against the tire wall with great force, scattering photographers fearing for their lives. In the Audi garage hands were on heads and jaws were on the floor as emotional commentators described the wreckage. Everyone feared the worst. Marshalls were quickly on the scene and managed to pull the remains of the car out from the tyres. There was cheers and applause of relief as McNish himself climbed out of the remains. Clearly in shock and bruised it was an amazing escape. (As a precaution McNish was taken to hospital for checks and later returned to the circuit).
The race continued for over an hour behind the 3 safety cars as the barriers were repaired. Once the green flag was waved the battle commenced again with Audi and Peugeot racing through the traffic at speed. The diesels quickly opened up a large gap between themselves and the chasing petrol powered cars and the lead changed at every pit stop between the Peugeots and Audis. The strategies were clear. Audi were going for outright speed, whilst the Peugeots were opting for a more conservative approach and hoping their better fuel economy would see them develop a lead over time. The reality was, neither team could build a sufficient lead, all 5 cars were on the lead lap and the see-saw of leaders continued in to the night.
As darkness fell little problems befell the leaders. Peugeot’s Mark Gene had issues with a door catch and Audis drivers complained that the GTE class traffic was getting in the way and making overtaking dangerous. These were prophetic words.
Having secured an Audi 1-2 Mike Rockenfeller was putting in some quick laps. However just after the Mulsanne Corner, the No.1 Audi swerved to the right whilst overtaking a Ferrari GTE car. The Audi hit the barriers head on, disintegrating on impact. The spinning wreckage hit barriers either side of the road before coming to halt in a shower of carbon fibre. Only the safety cell around the driver was left visible as part of the car. Once again silence befell a shocked track. Marshalls were on the scene immediately and medical assistance was called for. In the darkness of this part of the track it was unclear what had happened to Mike Rockenfeller, however word was relayed back that amazingly Rockenfeller himself had climbed out of the cockpit remains and hauled himself over the nearest barrier. He was later removed on stretcher and taken by ambulance to the medical centre and then to hospital. This was another miraculous escape as Rockenfeller only suffered bruising and a cut to his arm.
The resultant safety cars remained on track for nearly 2½ hours as the barriers were repaired and the wreckage removed. Even the safety cars needed refuelling during this extended period.
Once the race went green the sole remaining Audi was heading the field but the 3 Peugeots were soon hunting him down. The Oreca Matmut Peugeot had an off and managed to return to the pit with what appeared substantial damage, however the car returned within 15 minutes following sterling work in the garage.
Just before dawn the race was halted again following a crash involving the No. 13 Rebellion Racing Lola at the Porsche Curves. The driver, Jean-Christophe Boullion walked away with minor bruising the car fared less well. There was also further safety car hold ups when the No. 48 Oreca Nissan left the circuit and the Luxury Racing Ferraris both retired.
Once racing began in earnest again, the cool air helped the lead cars start to find very quick times. Andre Lotterer in the Audi and Sebastien Bourdais in the lead Peugeot lead the way as all the diesels went under 3 minutes 30 seconds on a regular basis. The quickest times set were even quicker than the pole qualifying time set on Thursday evening.
As the sun came up so the safety car came back out. This time the leading Corvette collided with the Felbernayr-Proton Porsche causing both cars to retire, but from the moment racing was on again the fight between Peugeot and Audi was on again. Over the next few hours the lead changed consistently at each pit stop between the leading Peugeot and the Audi. Neither team could gain supremacy. The No. 8 Peugeot dropped off the leading two cars after being called in for a stop-go penalty and the No.7 Peugeot fell behind after coming off the circuit at Indianapolis. This left a head to head race between the remaining No. 2 Audi and the No. 9 Peugeot. The other Peugeots were however going to play a part going in to the last few hours.
Following an amazing five stint run with Treluyer at the wheel the baton was passed to Lotterer who continued the good work. Treluyer had encountered problems trying to pass Anthony Davidson in the No. 7 Peugeot even though he was now a lap behind the Audi. Allegations of blocking were waved away by Peugeot.
Audi R18 at Le Mans
Moving in to the last few hours there was a further twist as rain began to fall around the famous Le Mans circuit. Although having to reduce speed dramatically Lotterer’s Audi stayed out on slicks, but the Peugeot of Pagenaud appeared to cope better and any lead that the Audi had built up was soon being eaten away. The No. 8 Peugeot did change to intermediate tyres but the on-off showers never really allowed them to have much effect.
The relationship between the two rivals hit a new low when Lotterer’s Audi, then in the lead, approached the No. 8 Peugeot of Mark Gene. Despite being 4 laps down, the Peugeot refused to let the faster Audi pass and on one occasion nearly forced the quicker Audi off the track. Accusations of more blocking were being thrown when finally Lotterer managed to make a pass and keep his lead. After the previous accidents the dangerous driving of Gene was not appreciated.
The Audi could never quite shake the presence of the stalking No. 9 Peugeot and going in to the last hour the gap was only seconds. However, the Audi was now staying ahead even when trading pit stops.
With minutes remaining the Audi pulled in for its last pit stop. With everyone predicting a quick splash and dash for the finish line, it was a surprise to see the Audi mechanics change tyres as well. Peugeot decided to pit at the same time but chose not to change tyres in an attempt to get out ahead of the leading Audi. Their attempt was in vain and the Audi managed to exit the pit lane a rather close 7 seconds ahead of the Peugeot.
From here it was a straight race for the line and although the Peugeot kept the gap steady it could never get up behind the Audi. And so at 3pm on Sunday 12th June 2011 the No. 2 Audi, driven by Andre Lotterer, crossed the line to win the Le Mans 24 Hours. Peugeot showed what a great car they have by finishing in 2nd, 3rd and 4th but the disappointment was there for all to see.
It was an emotional win for Audi made all the more poignant by the absence of their team mates Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller who were both recovering from their horrendous accidents. Audi definitely had the quicker car. Peugeot had the more economic car. In the end outright pace won the Le Mans 24 Hours 2011.
Written by Richard Webb
Photos by Dave Davies and Dan Carr
Want to be at the Le Mans 24 Hours 2012? Pre-register with us now to secure your travel, tickets and your choice of camping or other accommodation. Travel Destinations are official agents for the Le Mans 24 Hours and is an ABTA and ATOL tour operator.
Book with the professionals. Call 0844 873 0203 to talk through your requirements or emailinfo@traveldestinations.co.uk. We’ll look after you.