Winkelhock Wins Le Mans Race 1

The German, who started from pole position, had a massive 8.1-second lead by the end of the half hour race from countryman Daniel La Rosa.

Winkelhock lost the lead at the start to front-row starter Tristan Gommendy, however Gommendy's start was judged to be too good. The Frenchamn was told of a drive-through penalty for jumping the start on lap four after safety car period ended, brought out to clear up the debris from an accident involving Giorgio Mondini and Giovanni Tedeschi.

However Gommendy then took four laps to serve his penalty, causing team manager Kurt Mollekens to called to race stewards.

Winkelhock said: "I made an average start and I thought Gommendy just made a really good start. But it turned out he jumped it. I was naturally pleased when he came into the pits, and I had a big enough gap not to push. I was driving at 95 per cent but because the car was so good I was able to pull away."

La Rosa's second place was his best result of the season, having made the most of a poor start from Enrico Toccacelo ahead of him to fall in behind Winkelhock at the first corner.

Championship leader Robert Kubica finished third, passing Will Power at the Dunlop Chicane on the first lap. The Team Epsilon driver then pressured La Rosa, however was unable to find a way past the Interwetten driver and settled for third