samedi 17 juin 2006 - 12h11
The 74th running of the world's greatest endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is fast approaching; in less than five hours' time Jean-Martin Folz, President of PSA Peugeot Citroen, will wave the flag to start the race.

Will it be Audi or Pescarolo on top at the end of the race?
Photo : - ACO/Nikon
One question the race will answer: will the brand-new Audi Sport Team Joest R10, with its V12 diesel engine, prove as durable and successful as its predecessor, the R8, which took five wins in six years. Despite the No.8 car of Biela/Pirro/Werner being fastest, the morning warm-up won't have been encouraging for Audi; the No.7 car of Capello/Kristensen/McNish completed only two very slow laps, each time being forced to limp back to the pits with transmission woes.

Unlike Wednesday's qualifying session, which saw almost continual rain sweeping across the Circuit de La Sarthe, Saturday is warm and dry, with the sun beating down on the crowds of enthusiastic spectators. However, the hot weather may trigger more rain and thunderstorms - just one more variable the teams have to cope with.

In a break with tradition, the race gets under way at 5pm, an hour later than normal. The change has been made to accommodate the football World Cup.