The Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing team comprising of Khaled Al Qubaisi, David Heinemeier Hansson and Klaus Bachler started from pole and were well placed for a win.

Leading until the last 30 minutes of the race, suspension failure with the right front of the #88 Porsche 911 RSR meant that a 21-minute pit-stop in the closing stages of the race which cost the team a place on the podium.

Khaled Al Qubaisi said: “We were in contention not just for a podium place but for the win. Unfortunately, during the last 30 minutes of the six-hour race we hit a problem with the suspension and Klaus had to pit. But the technicians did a good job to ensure we finished the race.”

In the main race, the Audi Sport Team’s Andre Lotterer, Marcel Fassler and Benoit Treluyer crossed the finish line first after an incredible race-long battle with Porsche, but were excluded from the race by the stewards after post-race scrutineering.

The outcome meant the No2 Porsche 919 Hybrid of Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb took the maximum race points from the opening round of the 2016 FIA WEC.