Hat-trick wins Audi place in Le Mans history

17 June 2002: Audi has secured a special place in Le Mans 24 Hour race history thanks to their impressive first, second, third place victory in this year’s event.

Before 220,000 spectators, Audi works drivers Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro wrote Audi into Le Mans history by becoming the first team to win the hat-trick in almost 20 years and the fifth manufacturer ever to win the event with the same team three times in succession.

In second place was the team of Rinaldo Capello, Johnny Herbert and Christian Pescatori followed in third place by newcomers Michael Krumm, Philipp Peter and Marco Werner who made it to the podium in their very first race with the R8.

Over the entire 3,180 mile distance, the three Audi R8 sportscars, fitted with 610 hp strong FSI engines, were the fastest cars in the field.

From the start, Audi led the race, never surrendering the lead during the entire 24 hours. After only six hours, all three works cars were in front with driver Tom Kristensen shattering the lap record by almost four seconds. In total, the winning car covered 375 laps - seven more compared to the record drive in 2000.

Now in its 70th year, the Le Mans 24 Hour race has been held since 1923.

June 2002