Loeb hopes Audi's diesel bid at Le Mans is just a smokescreen

Published on Sunday 18 June 2006 01:25

WORLD rally champion Sebastien Loeb hopes Audi's pole position pace for the Le Mans 24 Hours does not reflect their true speed.

Loeb and his Pescarolo colleagues had set the pace in the first three qualifying sessions before being knocked down the order in decisive final run-out on Friday.

Audi's experienced trio of Scotland's Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello snatched pole position in their diesel cars and relegated the two Pescarolo cars to the second row. However, 32-year-old Loeb is hoping his dreams of a win in front of his home fans remains on track. "Audi surprised everyone, but perhaps they're bluffing. As far as I am concerned I am quite happy," he said.

Seven-time winner Kristensen scotched Loeb's hopes of a weaker Audi come the race, claiming he and team-mate McNish have been fine-tuning their car throughout qualifying. "Allan and I concentrated on the race set-up and now we are going into the 24 hours as confident as we can," he said.