Allan McNish was overjoyed with victory in the 76th running of the Le Mans 24 hours as he celebrated the tenth anniversary of his maiden win in the La Sarthe classic.
Alongside Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello, McNish secured his first win in the event for Audi after a race long battle with the #7 Peugeot, with the Audi trio making the most of a superior car in the wet conditions that arrived overnight to establish a lead early on Sunday morning that wasn't to be lost.
McNish had taken the start of the race in the #2 Audi with a long stint that ran for almost three hours before Capello and Kristensen took turns at the wheel.
After McNish and Capello then completed their running in the car, it was left to Kristensen to bring the car home and complete a hat-trick of wins for the diesel-powered R10.
"I'm overjoyed to have finally won the Le Mans 24 Hours with Audi," McNish reflected. "I've come very close on numerous occasions in the past but despite fierce opposition from start to finish, some of the most demanding and difficult track conditions, and unpredictable weather, I've finally done it – my thanks to everyone at Audi Sport and Team Joest.
"I didn't take risks at the start and was happy to follow the Peugeots. But they soon encountered problems of varying degrees. The track was treacherous in the rain – greasy and slippery – like driving on ice. Thankfully the car was very sure-footed but driving in those conditions for over three hours required 100 per cent concentration because if you made the slightest mistake, you just didn't go wide, you would have crashed off and out of the race.
"I had to endure a nail biting three hours watching in the pits as Tom not only battled to keep the Peugeot behind but the weather elements too. My heart missed a beat when he was turned around by a backmarker which thankfully didn't cause any damage."
The victory was also a third for McNish's regular partner Capello who was quick to praise the Audi squad for the part it played in the victory.
