A subsidiary of Redditch-based engineering group GKN supplied the innovative electric flywheel that is at the heart of the hybrid system of the Audi R18 E-tron Quattro, which won the Le Mans 24hr race at the end of last month.

Gordon Day, general manager of GKN Hybrid Power, said: “Congratulations to the Audi Sport team for its success in the most demanding endurance race in the world.

GKN Hybrid Power is delighted to be working in close technical partnership with the team and to have played our part in this run of success. We are looking to further improve the thermal efficiency, energy storage and power of the system to ensure that we remain at the forefront of this technology.”

GKN acquired the Hybrid Power division from Williams Grand Prix Engineering earlier this year in a deal worth £8 million. The Audi R18 E-tron Quattro made history in 2012, when it became the first hybrid car to win the Le Mans 24hr race.