Kristensen dedicates Le Mans win to Simonsen

Audi recorded their 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, whose first win came in 1997, touchingly dedicated his victory to Simonsen instead of his father, who died earlier this year.

“We lost someone yesterday who had the same dream as I did, a good bloke,” said Kristensen.

“Thus my feelings at winning are different this year. I am also thinking of my father who died in March. I would like to win again so that I can dedicate it to him because this victory is for Allan.”

Kristensen’s team-mates were Scotsman Allan McNish, tasting victory for the third time, and Frenchman Loic Duval, who was winning for the first time.

Simonsen, 34, died as a result of injuries he suffered after a horror 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 the president of the organising committee.

The Audi – which gave the manufacturer their fourth successive win and 11th in the last 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.

Davidson, who competed for the now defunct Minardi team in Formula One driving in 24 Grand Prix, said that Simonsen’s crash had brought back terrible memories for him.

“The most difficult thing this weekend was continuing to drive after learning of the news (about Simonsen) especially for me after what happened to me last year (he had a spectacular crash),” said the 34-year-old.

“Each time I passed by where Simonsen’s crash took place I thought of what happened and said to myself that could happen to any of us.

“The track was like a skating rink in the rain, there was no room for error. It was without doubt the toughest race of my life.”

Audi’s two-time defending champions Marcel Faessler, 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.