nicolas lapierre

Two-and-a-half years after being dropped, Nicolas Lapierre will return to Toyota in 2017 for the Spa WEC round and Le Mans.

Audi achieved its ambition of adding a 12th Le Mans 24 Hour title to its already bursting trophy cabinet, but the post-race atmosphere was a very subdued affair.

Results from the 81st running of the Le Mans 24 Hour race, grouped by LMP1, LMP2, GTE-Pro and GTE-Am categories.

Full results from the 81st running of the Le Mans 24 Hour race at the 8.469-mile, 38-turn Circuit de la Sarth.

Toyota's Nicolas Lapierre looks back on the Le Mans 24 Hours - and the moment he overcame Audi to lead the race...

Nicolas Lapierre admits that even without the team's night-time troubles in the 79th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours earlier this month, it would have been difficult for Oreca to finish any higher than fifth at La Sarthe

Former F1 star Olivier Panis has renounced his dream of adding to his Monaco Grand Prix success with glory in the Le Mans 24 Hours after witnessing the terrifying high-speed accidents suffered by Audi rivals McNish and Mike Rockenfeller last weekend

1. Panis/Lapierre Team Oreca Oreca 01-AIM 5hr 29min 12.688secs 195 laps LMP1 2. Belicchi/Fassler/Prost Speedy Racing Team Sebah Lola B08/60 Aston Martin 195 laps LMP1

Former Monaco Grand Prix winner Olivier Panis has described the prevailing political in-fighting in F1 in 2009 as 'a joke' - and one that is threatening to overshadow and spoil what is turning out on-track to be a classic season.

by Russell Atkins Though he may have switched across to sportscars in 2008 following a year's sabbatical from driving, former Formula 1 star Olivier Panis' habitual bad luck seems to have tracked him all the way from the top flight.

by Russell Atkins TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL: CLICK HERE