Le Mans News

Rob Bell and Gianmaria Bruni secured a dramatic win for the Virgo Motorsport team at the Nurburgring, despite its yellow Ferrari 430 being severely damaged in a fire during Friday practice.

He may already be known as a record-breaker, but 'Mr Le Mans' Tom Kristensen has admitted that he is now a rule-breaker too, after claiming that Audi overcame three unwritten rules to triumph in the 76th edition of the round-the-clock French classic this year.

Though he may have finished in the runner-up spot in only his second appearance in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours, Jacques Villeneuve insisted he was far from satisfied, and has vowed to return to finish the job off.

France's only ever F1 World Champion Alain Prost has underlined the importance of his country hosting a grand prix - and he argues the key to the race's future there is Paris.

The Tokai University team was denied a finish in its historic debut in the Le Mans 24 Hours after a transmission problem forced the Japanese team to retire from the 76th running of the famous race at La Sarthe.

Larbre Competition team boss Jack Leconte says his team will seek revenge in the Spa 24 Hours after a problem early on in the Le Mans 24 Hours prevented his team from fighting for honours in the GT1 class.

The Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans has added another famous name to the pantheon already recognised for their exploits at La Sarthe, and given race fans a new section to conjure with by adding the Corvette Curves to the likes of Tertre Rouge, Mulsanne, Arnage and Indianapolis.

Porsche may have come out on top in the LMP2 class at Le Mans 2008, but the same could not be said for GT2, where it resumed its annual battle with Ferrari - and lost heavily.

David Brabham has admitted that he has never had to work so hard for success, particularly in a race already as arduous and competitive as the GT1 class at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Le Mans 24 Hours success will now be compared to buses by Aston Martin Racing for, having had to wait 48 years to add to its 1959 overall triumph, the team racked up a second GT1 class win in as many years.

Tom Kristensen maintains the lead in the Le Mans 24 Hours but only after a huge scare in the 22nd hour. Kristensen was continuing to lead the way in the #2 Audi when he came up to put a lap on the Barazi-Epsilon Zytek of Juan Barazi approaching the Dunlop Bridge.

Despite a brave effort to fix the car after its earlier accident, the Chamberlain Synergy team was forced out of the Le Mans 24 Hours shortly before midnight.

Amanda Stretton endured a baptism of fire in the Le Mans 24 Hours on her out lap in the Chamberlain Synergy Lola.

The Virgo Motorsport team hit early problems in its debut Le Mans 24 Hours after Rob Bell was involved in an incident on pit lane.

The Charouz Racing Systems Lola Aston Martin is the first front-runner to hit major problems in the Le Mans 24 Hours after a huge off for team owner Jan Charouz.

Frank Biela has admitted he is unsure whether Audi will be quick enough to prevail in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours for the eighth time in nine years this weekend, confessing that he was 'annoyed' by the speed arch-rivals Peugeot demonstrated in qualifying.

The Charouz Lola Aston Martin emerged as one of the stars of qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours after Stefan Mucke managed to split the diesel cars on the grid for the French classic.

TO WATCH THE VIDEO OF NODA'S ACCIDENT, CLICK HERE

Tom Kristensen insists he is pleased to not be entering the Le Mans 24 Hours as the favourite for once this year, suggesting that by stealing all of the headlines, Peugeot have also taken away from Audi all of the pressure.

1. Biela/Pirro/Werner Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDi LMP1 2. Capello/McNish/Kristensen Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDi LMP1

The late David Leslie is to be honoured in Lola's 50th anniversary celebrations at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours.

Marc Gene has admitted that he felt he could be about to die during his high-speed accident during testing to the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Stuart Moseley showed just why the Barazi-Epsilon team had taken a punt on his abilities for the forthcoming Le Mans 24 Hours by setting the team's fastest time in pre-race testing after just four dry laps in the Zytek 07S.

Alex Davison will join a select band of Australian drivers to have taken part in the Le Mans 24 Hours when he lines up for the event next month as part of the Felbermayr-Proton team.