Audi are dominating the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. But an internal battle raged in the German camp.

The race returned to normal after safety car period caused by a dramatic accident in the formidable Raidillon of Eau Rouge. At 18:15, of the Norma-Judd driven by Philippe Hazebrouck who had a brutal contact with the tyre wall. The driver climbed out of his LM P2 prototype unaided. Minutes earlier, a clash between Perez Companc (Oreca-Nissan) and Tracy Krohn (Italia Ferrari 458) at La Source already caused the intervention of two safety cars.

LM P1

The track is dry and all cars are now shod with slick tires. Under these conditions, the benefit of Audi # 1 and # 2  hybrid system no longer seems crucial. Conversely, the R18 "classic", takes the advantage.  French driver Romain Dumas leading the race with one minute ahead of Switzerland Marcel Fässler. After a stint in the gravel of his team-mate Allan McNish, Dindo Capello occupies the third place. He is followed by Marco Bonanomi, also in an Audi. Behind is the Lola-Toyota trio of Prost-Jani-Heidfeld who seem immune to the fight between the Honda # 21 in the Dome-Judd #17.

1. n°3 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST (Audi R18 Ultra) / Dumas (FRA) Duval (FRA) Gené (ESP)
2. n°1 AUDI SPORT TEAM JOEST (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) / Fässler (CHE) Lotterer (DEU) Tréluyer (FRA)
3. n°4 AUDI SPORT NORTH AMERICA (Audi R18 Ultra) / Jarvis (GBR) Bonanomi (ITA)

LM P2

In LM P2, victory should be decided between the Jota Zytek-Nissan and Oreca-Nissan of ADR Delta. Separated by a few seconds, these cars are a lap ahead of the Morgan-Judd and Belgian Bas Leinders.

1. n°25 ADR-DELTA (Oreca 03 - Nissan) / Martin (AUS) Kerr (GBR) Graves (GBR)
2. n°38 JOTA (Zytek Z11SN - Nissan) / Dolan (GBR) Hancock (GBR)
3. n°35 OAK RACING (Morgan - Judd) / Hansson (DNK) Leinders (BEL)

LM GTE Pro

Although Porsche seemed in trouble at the beginning of the season, the 997  2012 version seems able to win today, but faces three Ferraris, the German car leads the race. However, nothing is certain for Marc Lieb with only a little over a minute ahead of Gianmaria Bruni.

1. n°77 TEAM FELBERMAYR-PROTON (Porsche 911 RSR) / Lietz (AUT) Lieb (DEU)
2. n°51 AF CORSE (Ferrari F458 Italia) / Fisichella (ITA) Bruni (ITA)
3. n°59 LUXURY RACING ( Ferrari F458 Italia) / Makowiecki (FRA) Melo (BRA)

LM GTE Am

Porsche also lead in GTE Am.

1. n°67 IMSA PERFORMANCE MATMUT (Porsche 911 RSR) / Armindo (FRA) Narac (FRA) Pons (FRA)
2. n°88 TEAM FELBERMAYR-PROTON (Porsche 911 RSR) / Ried (DEU) Roda (ITA) Ruberti (ITA)
3. n°81 AF CORSE (Ferrari F458 Italia) / Perazzini (ITA) Cioci (ITA) Griffin (IRL)

Julien Hergault

Photo : CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, 6 HEURES DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS WEC, 5th MAY 2012.