Mansell crashes out at Le Mans
Former Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell crashed out of the Le Mans 24-hourrace just 18 minutes after the race started on
Saturday.
Mansell spun around in his Ginetta-Zytek and hit the security barrier before the Indianapolis corner. He spent several minutes in his car
but was conscious when he was evacuated in an ambulance. Organisers later said he was in a good condition.
The 56-year-old British driver was racing for the first time at Le Mans, with his sons Greg and Leo. Mansell won the F1 title in 1992.
Peugeot took an early lead with its cars holding the four top positions before the safety car entered the 13.6-kilometer de la Sarthe
circuit.
The race was neutralised behind the safety car for about half an hour before Frenchman Franck Montagny moved into first place in the
number two Peugeot 908 HDI when Pedro Lamy pitted for the first time in the number three Peugeot.
After 20 laps, Lamy was second ahead of Marc Gene, driving the number one Peugeot.
Nicolas Lapierre of France was fourth in the team Oreca Peugeot ahead of Scotland's Allan McNish in the number seven Audi R15.
Peugeot is bidding for a second straight victory at Le Mans. The French manufacturer ended Audi's five-year domination at Le Mans last
year when it claimed its first win since 1993.