After yet another 24 hours of twists, emotional events and Audi dominance the German manufacturer has once again claimed victory at the Le Mans 24hr race - its 11th victory since 1999.

The firm has been using diesel power for its LMP1 cars since 2006, but this year introduced two hybrid models to its four-car field for the first time. And it was Audi e-tron quattro number one that went on to take the overall honours, driven by Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Beno?t Tréluyer. The hybrid crossed the line for the final time having completed 378 laps of the world-famous 8.5-mile-long La Sarthe circuit.

It was followed by another pair of Audi R18 cars, with the second e-tron of Alan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello finishing in front of the conventionally powered R18 Ultra of Marco Bonanomi, Oliver Jarvis and Mike Rockenfeller to complete the maker's fourth one-two-three victory at the event. Only the Toyota-engined Rebellion racing Lola could stop the fourth R18 taking fourth place, Audi number 3, driven by Romain Dumas, Loïc Duval and Marc Gené having to settle for a very credible fifth (12 laps behind the first-placed e-tron) position.

This year the main LMP1 manufacturer challenge was taken to Audi by Toyota, whose TS030s looked to be quicker on the straights, and for a while occupied podium places. However, after just four hours Anthony Davidson was collected by a slower Ferrari, resulting in a massive accident and an hour-long safety car. Not long after the second Toyota had a coming together with the exciting looking (though off the pace) Nissan Delta Wing, and also retired - ending the team's hopes of victory.

In an event of only 35 finishers (and 21 retirees) it wasn't plain sailing for the Audi Sport Joest team either. Multiple accidents and incidents, including number four car, which had a problem with a sticking gear (fixed by the driver 'switching the car on and off') and a number of barrier interfaces kept the engineers busy.

The LMP2 class was won by Starworks Motorsports with its Honda-engined HPD ARX 03b while the GT group victory was clinched by the A.F Corse Ferrari 458 driven by Giancarlo Fisichella.

With the first Le Mans 24hr having been run in 1923, next year's event will be the 90th anniversary of the great race, and one that already promises to be more exciting than this year's.

Graeme Lambert - 18 Jun 2012