Audi's R15 TDIs enjoyed better reliability than their rivals

Audi filled the top three spots at the Le Mans 24 hour race after Peugeot's three works cars were forced to retire.

Audi's ninth win at the 8.4-mile circuit tied them with Ferrari for second place among the most successful manufacturers in Le Mans history.

Porsche has the best record with 16 wins at the famous endurance race.

Timo Bernhard, teaming up with fellow German Mike Rockenfeller and Frenchman Romain Dumas, completed 397 laps, one more than their nearest rivals.

France's Benoit Treluyer lagged one lap behind with Italy's Dindo Capello - part of a trio of drivers including Britain's Allan McNish - three laps back.

Fifth place went to the all-British line-up of Nick Leventis, Danny Watts and Jonny Kane in the Strakka HPD ARX.01c.

Defending champion Peugeot had been considered hot favourites after securing the four top spots on the starting grid. They clearly had the fastest cars but ran into problems during the race, while Audi took advantage of their own cars' better reliability.

The last works Peugeot left running, driven by Alexander Wurz, Marc Gene and Britain's Anthony Davidson, dropped out with engine failure with just two hours remaining at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Peugeot had ended Audi's five-year domination at Le Mans in 2009 when claiming their first win since 1993.

The 1992 Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell crashed after just 17 minutes of his Le Mans debut on Saturday.

The 56-year-old spent several minutes in his car but was conscious when evacuated in an ambulance. He was later described as being "fine" by race officials.

Le Mans 24 hour race results:

1. Mike Rockenfeller (Ger), Romain Dumas (Fra), Timo Bernhard (Ger); Audi No. 9, 397 laps.

2. Marcel Fassler (Swi), Benoit Treluyer (Fra), Andre Lotterer (Ger); Audi No. 8, one lap behind.

3. Tom Kristensen (Den), Allan McNish (GB), Dindo Capello (Ita); Audi No. 7, 3 laps behind.

4. Soheil Ayari (Fra), Andrew Meyrick (GB), Didier Andre (Fra); Oreca 01 AIM No. 6, 28 laps behind.

5. Nick Leventis (GB), Danny Watts (GB), Jonny Kane, (GB); Strakka HPD ARX.01c No. 42, 30 laps behind.

6. Adrian Fernandez (Mex), Stefan Mucke, Ger), Harold Primat (Swi); Lola Aston Martin No. 7, 32 laps behind.

7. Matthieu Lahaye (Fra), Guillaume Moreau (Fra), Jan Charouz (Cze); OAK Racing Pescarolo-Judd No. 35, 36 laps behind.

8. Thomas Erdos (Bra), Mike Newton (GB), Andy Wallace (GB); RML Lola HPD No. 25, 39 laps behind.

9. Jacques Nicolet (Fra), Richard Hein (Mon), Jean-François Yvon (Fra); OAK Racing Pescarolo-Judd No. 24, 56 laps behind.

10. Karim Ojjeh (Swi), Tim Greaves (GB), Gary Chalandon (Fra); Team Bruichladdich Ginetta Zytek No. 41, 56 laps behind.

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