(CNN) While speculation continues as to whether Audi or Porsche might join the ranks of Formula One, the two German car manufacturers' commitment to endurance racing was in no doubt this weekend.

Porsche ended a 17-year wait to claim its 17th victory at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours event, which had been won by VW stablemate Audi in 13 of the previous 15 stagings.

It was a 1-2 finish for Porsche, which returned to Le Mans last year, with F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg and teammates Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy heading off the vehicle piloted by Mark Webber, Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley.

The winners completed 395 laps of the circuit -- one more than their Porsche rivals -- as 263,500 spectators watched from Saturday afternoon to Sunday in France.

Audi's defending champions Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer were third.

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