OLIVER Webb blamed bad luck after his team were forced to retire from the Le Mans 24-hour race on Sunday.

The Knutsford driver, alongside Pierre Ragues and Zoel Amberg in Team SARD Morand’s Morgan Evo, were on course to challenge for a place on the podium in the LMP2 class.

However a technical issue halfway through proved beyond repair.

“We hit some bad fortune which brought things to a premature end,” said Webb.

“The car had felt good, and we were showing strong pace moving steadily through the field – a top-three finish was a realistic target.

“It’s a minor setback for our season, but I hope to return again when I’ll be even more determined.”

Webb had set the fastest lap of the team’s three drivers during qualifying to secure a top 10 grid place in a competitive category.

He was in the car for the race’s opening stint, rising to sixth in class by its conclusion.

The 24-year-old improved Team SARD Morand’s position to fifth during his second spell behind the wheel, taking over later when darkness fell another position closer to the podium.

A drop in pace, not corrected by a strategic tyre change, gave a first clue to the engine problem that would end early their involvement when an oil fire broke out when Ragues was on track at the famous French circuit.

Webb added: “The team did a great job.

“Endurance racing is a real battle, and Le Mans the ultimate challenge for every component.”