Audi has reached another milestone with a 12th victory at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours in a race that was overshadowed by an early tragedy, the death of Aston Martin Racing driver Allan Simonsen just 3 laps into the start following a fatal crash on the Tertre Rouge corner. Despite the weather’s unpredictability, Audi managed to come out on top with its #2 R18 e-tron quattro, followed by Toyota’s #8 TS030 Hybrid.
The Gulf Racing Middle East team ahead of the start of the race.
French national anthem being played out amid cloudy conditions.
The grid girls at Le Mans, a bit too cold for that dress…
FIA president Jean Todt next to wife Michelle Yeoh.
Jim France holding the French flag in preparation for the start of the race.
#31 Lotus T128 followed by the LMP2-winning OAK Racing #35 Morgan-Nissan.
JMW Motorsport’s sole Ferrari 458 Italia.
#97 Aston Martin Vantage which lost out to the two factory Porsche 911s in the GTE Pro class.
Porsche dominated the LM GTE classes, this is team IMSA Performance Matmut’s GTE Am-winning Porsche 997 GT3 RSR.
#1 Audi R18 e-tron finished the race in fifth, 10 laps down on the winning #2 Audi.
#71 AF Corse Ferrari and its sister #51 car. Both cars finished the race, 5th and 6th respectively in LM GTE Pro.
Following two DNFs last year, Toyota had a rather successful race in 2013 with 2nd and 4th overall.
The Porsche 911 took a 1-2 in the GTE Pro class, a great way to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The Dempsey Del Piero – Proton #77 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR piloted by Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey.