Audi proud to beat Peugeot

The German manufacturer has dominated the French race since the turn of the century, but this year they faced a full works opponent in Peugeot, and they admitted that they had to raise their game for the race.

Frank Biela, Marco Werner and Emanuele Pirro took the spoils as the two other Audi R10s crashed out, and the drivers admitted that they felt added pressure once they were the lone Audi in the race.

"Le Mans was incredible this year," said Pirro. "After the other Audis could not finish the race had enormous pressure.

"The last nine hours were especially difficult. Behind us were the Peugeots and we had to fight hard."

Audi's head of motorsport Wolfgang Ullrich believed that Audi could take heart from the fact that they won the race against strong opposition this year.

"I think this was the most difficult race we ever did at Le Mans," he said. "We managed to get one car to the finish in difficult circumstances, winning against strong competitors."

Biela, who has shared all of his five victories in the race with Pirro, echoed the Italian's comments about the pressure they were under.

"The last victory is always the sweetest, but I think this race was very, very tough," he said. "When we realised we were the only Audi left, of course we felt more pressure and responsibility."