Audi recorded its 12th win in the Le Mans 24 hour race on Sunday but it was a victory overshadowed by the death of Danish driver Allan Simonsen.
Simonsen’s compatriot Tom Kristensen, 45, was part of the winning trio of drivers extending his all-time record of nine victories in the historic race but first since 2008.
Kristensen’s teammates were Scotsman Allan McNish, tasting his third victory, and Frenchman Loic Duval who won for the first time.
Simonsen, 34, died of injuries he suffered after a high-speed crash at the wheel of an Aston Martin on Saturday.
A brief tribute was paid to Simonsen before the podium ceremony on Sunday by six-time winner Jacky Ickx and Pierre Fillon, president of the organising committee.
The Audi – which gave the manufacturer their fourth successive win and 11th in the past 13 editions – came home a lap clear of the Toyota, whose trio of drivers were Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin and former Formula One duo England’s Anthony Davidson and Swiss Sebastien Buemi.
Audi’s two-time defending champions Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer had led the race until they came to a halt in front of the stands late on Saturday night and lost 43 minutes while they changed their alternator.