Capello: It just aquaplaned...

Rinaldo Capello was one of a number of drivers to be caught out by the conditions after an accident halted the challenge of the #7 Audi R10 during the opening qualifying sessions for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The car, which Capello will share with Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, had earlier set the pace in the first of two two-hour sessions at La Sarthe and was running well in the second session as the trio focused on completing the required number of night-time laps to take part in the race.

McNish had battled with the Pescarolo of Frank Montagny for the quickest time, despite the fact that Audi had elected not to take risks with the diesel-powered race engines in place, before the leading R10 ended its session in the barriers at Tertre Rouge after Capello spun off and damaged the rear suspension on the car.

"The day for me was not so busy," he said. "At the beginning I just did my mandatory laps at night. When I joined the track again later, I aquaplaned off on a slippery corner. I'm sorry for the team because I gave them some extra work. But I hope I will pay them back tomorrow evening with a strong performance."

Although the damage to the car, which will be repaired in time for the two Thursday sessions, was a disappointing end to the day, it was a day that had earlier shown the pace of the new Audi package, with both McNish and Kristensen happy with the way the car had performed.

"After so much sunshine, the weather turned into two rainy sessions tonight," seven-time race winner Kristensen said. "We were curious how our Audi R10 TDI would feel under wet conditions but we found a good balance very quickly. The car produces a lot of downforce and the TDI engine has a huge amount of power. Despite the difficult conditions I enjoyed my first laps of this racing week very much."

"The track was tricky, there was aquaplaning on the Hunaudi?res straight and before Indianapolis," McNish added. "The 'standard' road sections of the track were additionally slippery due to fuel and oil spillage which required a delicate balance of power. The car was good straightaway and had good balance. Also in this weather and track conditions, the torque of the diesel engine could be used to good advantage."

The sister R10 of Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner set a provisional fourth quickest time.