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Audi suffers two high-speed shunts and Peugeot blocking tactics to win thrilling Le Mans

Audi claimed victory over a Peugeot in a thrilling, action packed Le Mans 24 Hours race at the weekend.

The race had been partly overshadowed by Allan McNish’s spectacular high-speed crash in his R18 TDI after a collision with Ferrari’s Anthony Beltoise.

The Audi flew into the air, spinning with bodywork catapulting towards by-standing marshals and photographers, but amazingly everyone - including McNish - walked away from the incident unharmed.

See all the best pics from the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours

In the 11th hour it was déjà vu for Audi as last year’s race winner, Mike Rockenfeller, was hit by the Ferrari of Robert Kaufmann that also sent him into the barriers travelling at almost 200mph. Again the driver walked away unharmed, but he was kept in hospital overnight as a precaution.

With only one Audi car remaining, all hopes were on the #2 car and, after some controversial blocking tactics by Peugeot, André Lotterer held off the chasing Peugeot of Simon Pagenaud to win by less than 14 seconds.

The closing hour saw Lotterer work hard for the victory as the rain began to shower the circuit.

Elisha Chauhan

Classified top 10 finishers (all timing unofficial)1. Audi Sport Team Joest 355 laps2. Team Peugeot Total +13.8543. Peugeot Sport Total +2 laps4. Peugeot Sport Total +45. Team Oreca Matmut +166. Rebellion Racing +177. Kronos Racing +278. Greaves Motorsport +299. Signatech Nissan +3510. Level 5 Motorsports +36

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