Earlier this month Audi welcomed Porsche back to Le Mans with a video, driving the R18 TDI on public roads to Stuttgart and then smoking the rear tyres on the pavement, writing down “Welcome Back”.

After a long break from the top category at Le Mans, Porsche returned this year with their #20 Porsche 919 Hybrid – driven by Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley and Mark Webber.

They had a good start and it looked like they have a clear podium spot guaranteed until a powertrain problem, which forced the team to quit after 22 hours of racing.

The #14 919 Hybrid also had powertrain problems but was fortunately able to finish the race with 11th place and a total of 348 laps.

Audi won the race again with a 1-2 victory, taking their 13th top spot at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2000.

Porsche released a video that starts with a voiceover saying: “You can lose a challenge, as long as you battle courageously” and the moving on to say You can loose seconds, as long as you stay within striking distance, You can lose control, you can lose titles and you can lose races but there’s one thing we may never lose – our fighting spirit.”

Porsche even goes as far as to congratulate Audi in their own special way. That’s the spirit!