Williams KERS won Le Mans with Audi

Jun.19 (GMM) Ferrari was a Le Mans winner at the weekend, but so too was Williams.

#1 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro: Marcel Fässler, Andre Lotterer, Benoit Tréluyer

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

In the top GT category of the fabled 24 hour race, former Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella was one of the drivers of the winning Ferrari 458 Italia.

But British F1 team Williams has also pointed out that it was a part of Audi's overall victory in the top prototype class, LMP1.

The winning Audi R18, which also finished second in the hands of ex F1 driver Allan McNish, was fitted with Grove based F1 constructor Williams' unique flywheel KERS system.

It was the "first hybrid powered vehicle to finish on the podium", Williams noted in a media statement.

The F1 team had worked "closely with Audi engineers to fully integrate the (KERS) system into the car", Williams added.

Williams Hybrid Power's managing director Ian Foley said: "Because of Audi's pedigree at Le Mans there was pressure to get this project right, and to see our technology play a role in this historic triumph is immensely satisfying."