The first qualifying day of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was shadowed by a horrific accident.

Last year's winner Loic Duval lost control of the #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro in the Porsche Corners at over 270km/h and hit the track barrier. Luckily, Duval was able to escape with abrasions, and was made to stay at the hospital for overnight observation.

After the accident, Audi Sport Team Joest began preparing a new car for Thursday's second qualifying session. Marc Gene, an Audi racing driver since 2011, will start for Audi in place of Duval.

At the end of Qualifying 1, Porsche claimed top two spots with its pair of 919 Hybrids, with Toyota's TS040 Hybrids coming in third and fourth. The two remaining Audi LMP1 racers ended fifth and sixth.