Audi Dominates 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours with Record-Breaking 1-2-3 Finish
Audi swept the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours podium, setting a new distance record as the No. 9 R15 TDI Plus led a commanding 1-2-3 for the German manufacturer.
Audi secured a dominant victory at the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours, with its No. 9 R15 TDI Plus driven by Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller completing 397 laps to set a new distance record for the event. The German manufacturer swept the podium, with its No. 8 and No. 7 cars finishing second and third respectively, underlining a comprehensive display of pace and reliability.
The 2010 race, held at Circuit de la Sarthe on 12-13 June, saw Audi’s diesel-powered R15 TDI Plus recover from Peugeot’s early pace. Peugeot, which had ended Audi’s winning streak the previous year, led the opening hours but suffered a series of mechanical failures. All four factory Peugeots retired before the finish, leaving Audi unchallenged in the closing stages.
Audi’s record-breaking run
The No. 9 Audi, piloted by Bernhard, Dumas and Rockenfeller, completed 397 laps, equivalent to over 5,410 kilometres, breaking the previous distance record set in 1971. The car finished one lap ahead of the No. 8 Audi (Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer), while the No. 7 car (Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, Dindo Capello) finished three laps further back in third. Audi’s consistency and pit stop strategy paid off as rivals faltered.
Peugeot’s challenge collapses
Peugeot entered the race as favourite after its 2009 triumph, fielding four 908 HDi FAP diesels. The French squad led from the start but saw its cars retire due to engine and mechanical problems, including failures for the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 entries and a late engine failure for the leading No. 1 car. The last Peugeot retirement occurred with less than two hours remaining, handing Audi a clear run to the flag.
Other class winners and British interest
In LMP2, Strakka Racing’s HPD ARX-01c took the class win, while the Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR claimed GTE Pro honours. British drivers featured strongly across the field, with Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen part of Audi’s third-placed crew. Aston Martin Racing finished sixth overall and won the unofficial petrol class, the highest-placed car not powered by a diesel engine.
- Audi No. 9 (Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller): 397 laps, 1st overall
- Audi No. 8 (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer): 396 laps, 2nd overall
- Audi No. 7 (Kristensen/McNish/Capello): 394 laps, 3rd overall
- Strakka Racing HPD ARX-01c: LMP2 winner
- Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 997 GT3 RSR: GTE Pro winner
What the result meant for Le Mans and Audi
Audi’s 2010 win marked its ninth overall Le Mans victory and reasserted its position after Peugeot’s 2009 upset. The new distance record stood as testament to the pace and reliability of the R15 TDI Plus. The result also highlighted the growing dominance of diesel-powered prototypes at Le Mans, with petrol-powered cars unable to match the outright performance. For Peugeot, the race was a major setback after a year spent developing and testing to defend its title.
For a look at Peugeot’s 2009 victory, see Peugeot ends Audi’s dominance with 2009 Le Mans 1-2 finish.
