Leading Audi hits trouble at Sebring

Marco Werner was holding a comfortable 30-second advantage over teammate Dindo Capello when he suddenly peeled off for the Audi awning after suffering a dramatic loss of power.

With Werner and co-driver Lucas Luhr having just been confirmed as Audi's drivers for the full American Le Mans season, a Sebring victory would have got their title campaign off to a perfect start.

But having fallen to 11th overall by the time the problems were rectified, their hopes now appear extremely slim.

The No.1 Audi is now half a minute ahead of the Penske and Dyson LMP2 Porsches, with the Andretti-Green Acura also still on the lead lap.

With Peugeot already 25 laps down after earlier hydraulic problems, the No.1 Audi is the last LMP1 running competitively.

But Allan McNish is taking nothing for granted given the No.2 car's issues.

"Marco accelerated out of Turn 5 down towards the hairpin and just didn't accelerate," he said. "The guys are pretty quick at analysing data and usually know the problem and solution quite fast, but obviously it's had to go back to the tent.

"We need to know why in case it happens on our car as well."