Porsche end Audi's five-year domination with victory in Le Mans 24 Hours race
German team shine with Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg, Briton Nick Tandy and New Zealand's Earl Bamber
With German Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg behind the wheel, Porsche won the 24 Hours Le Mans on Sunday to end Audi’s five-race winning run and clinch a record 17th victory at the famous endurance race.
Hulkenberg was one of the three drivers in the No 19 car, which finished ahead of No 17 Porsche, featuring former F1 driver Mark Webber, and Audi’s No 7 car.
Audi had won seven of the past eight races, with Porsche’s last win coming in 1998.
These are tears of happiness. I’m lost for words. I hope it’s the first of many. I grew up watching the race
"Thank you so much everybody, great effort over the last few months," Hulkenberg said over race radio as he headed back into the garage waving to the flag-waving Porsche fans.
The 27-year-old Hulkenberg, driving in the race for the first time, will be back in action in a Force India car at the Austrian Grand Prix next weekend - his 85th F1 race.
British driver Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber of New Zealand were the other drivers in the No 19 car.
"These are tears of happiness. I’m lost for words," Tandy said. "I hope it’s the first of many. I grew up watching the race."