2013 Audi Sport Calendar

By Johan Laubscher

As 2012 draws to a close Audi Sport is already very busy gearing up for the 2013 motorsport season. Last year Audi Sport revealed a beautiful Calendar for 2012. During this year they hinted at another calendar being released for 2013 which would again portray the motorsport highlights from the previous season. Today, just four days from the end of 2012, Audi Sport has officially revealed their 2013 calendar, and it is another masterpiece. It is produced with twelve beautiful pictures each featuring different scenes from Audi’s Le Mans, DTM and customer racing programs.

We have included the twelve images and the cover below. You can download them directly from the Official Audi Sport Facebook page via this link HERE. 

Photos hosted at the Official Audi Sport Facebook page

Gallery: Audi R18 at Audi of America headquarters

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi of America has welcomed a very special car at their headquarters, an Audi R18 TDI. The new car replaces the Audi R10 TDI which has been on display in America in recent years. This specific R18 is fitted 2011 Audi R18 TDI bodywork (similar to that which appeared at the first Sebring test during 2011). The car is however wearing the livery of the #3 Audi R18 ultra TDI powered car that raced at the Le Mans 24 Hours this year. The car at Le Mans was driven by Romain Dumas, Loic Duval and Marc Gene and finished fifth overall in the end. The Audi R18 ultra debuted at the 6 Hours of Spa and was retired from competition after the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo when Audi Sport Team Joest opted for a pair of R18 e-tron quattros to fight the fast Toyota Racing TS030 Hybrid.

Here are great photos of one of the best looking race cars around, from the Audi USA official Facebook page.

Audi R18 on Facebook

 

Wallpaper: Audi vs Toyota at Le Mans

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi won the Le Mans 24 Hours this year for the eleventh time. The Ingolstadt brand was able to achieve a fantastic 1-2-3 victory and even better by scoring a first overall win for a Hybrid car at La Sarthe. The race may have looked like an easy one for the Joest Racing team, however the first stages of the race saw titanic battles with the new comers from Toyota. The TS030 proved to be as fast as the R18 e-tron quattros and ultras.

Every great rivalry brings great photos as well. Here is a great wallpaper from our friend Laurent Chauveau and the French based 86400.fr sportscar website. The #3 Audi R18 ultra battling neck to neck with one of the factory Toyotas.

More information:
86400.fr website
86400.fr on Facebook

Video: A closer look at the Audi R18 e-tron quattro

By Johan Laubscher

Audi claimed their eleventh overall Le Mans victory during 2012, and their first with the hybrid technology concept. The two Audi R18 e-tron quattros finished 1-2 at Le Mans and wrote a new chapter in the history books. Here is a great video from Audi featuring a brief look into the history of quattro in motorsport and the 2012 race cars. The video was made as a preview to Le Mans 2012 and has some beautiful footage, enjoy. 

Videos: All the Audi Le Mans short films

By Johan Laubscher

In recent years Audi has always produced a short video documenting the Le Mans 24 Hour races. They are normally released a few months after the race in June, and they are always well received. These online videos started in 2009 and each year since then we have seen the annual addition of another new video. Audi also published similar videos in previous years which included 2006 and 2008. The 2012 video was published yesterday and once again it is an exciting production featuring the race this year. With the arrival of the new video we thought it would be a good idea to look back on all the previous videos. We have included all the Audi Le Mans short feature films below, they are all well worth watching again. 

2012  

2011

2010  

2009  

2008  

2006

Video: An electrifying victory - The 24 hours of Le Mans 2012

By Johan Laubscher

Le Mans 2012 marked Audi’s eleventh overall victory and the first ever with hybrid technology. With four cars on track they were the favourites for the race and finished 1-2-3. Audi has just released this new video featuring the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours. It is six action packed minutes and is well worth the watch, enjoy:

An electrifying victory - The 24 hours of Le Mans

Audi’s Le Mans winning trio extends lead of the Championship standings in Brazil

Audi Press Release

• Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer take second place
• Lucas di Grassi makes brilliant debut with Audi in home round
• Championship battle remains open three races before the end

Ingolstadt/São Paulo, September 15, 2012 – In the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at São Paulo, the Audi R18 had to admit defeat for the first time this season. The Le Mans winners Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro finished as the runners-up behind Toyota and in front of their team-mates Lucas di Grassi/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish in the Audi R18 ultra. This ended an Audi string of sports car victories which had begun in March.

With a 4.5-point advantage, the Le Mans winners traveled to the South American round and the trio are going home with 7.5 points more to their tally than their immediate rivals. At the fifth of the season’s eight races, the two sportscar concepts and the driver teams of Audi fought a remarkable battle yet again. In the early phase, Allan McNish was initially running in second position ahead of Benoît Tréluyer. After nine laps, the Frenchman overtook the Scotsman. After Tom Kristensen had taken over the number “2” R18 ultra from McNish, he spun and clearly dropped behind his brand colleague Marcel Fässler but the eight-time Le Mans winner from Denmark started a remarkable recovery. Despite having to wait at the red light in the pit lane during a caution period and dropping behind the second safety car on the track Kristensen cut his deficit in half again before the end of his stint.

Lucas di Grassi took over the R18 ultra from the Dane and on his debut for Audi showed a commanding performance. He drove without making any mistakes whatsoever throughout the weekend and also did a very good job of handling the traffic that he was not used to. At the beginning of the final stint, he achieved the fastest race lap for Audi, thus clinching third place in his first endurance race together with his team-mates, with a gap of only 14 seconds to the sister car. The podium result, in the end, meant 15 valuable points for Kristensen/McNish in the battle for the title. The gap between the two leading Audi driver teams at the top of the standings thus saw a minor increase, but with 78 points yet to be awarded in the three remaining races in Bahrain, Japan and China in the next six weeks, the title win in the drivers’ championship remains completely open. Audi already secured an early win of the manufacturers’ championship in the fourth round at Silverstone three weeks ago.*

* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA

Race results

1 Wurz/Lapierre (Toyota) 247 laps
2 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) + 1m 00.778s
3 di Grassi/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 ultra) + 1m 14.679s
4 Prost/Jani (Lola-Toyota) – 5 laps
5 Belicchi/Primat (Lola-Toyota) – 7 laps
6 Leventis/Watts/Kane (HPD-Honda) – 7 laps
7 Potolicchio/Dalziel/Sarrazin (HPD-Honda) – 13 laps
8 Lahaye/Nicolet/Pla (Morgan-Nissan) –16 laps
9 Kaffer/Minassian/Perez Companc (Oreca-Nissan) – 17 laps
10 Brabham/Chandhok/Dumbreck (HPD-Honda) – 17 laps

Follow the 6 Hours of São Paulo: Live Stream + Live Tweet Updates

By Tarek Ramchani

The 6 Hours of São Paulo race is about to start at Interlagos, round 5 of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Here are all the links you need to follow the race live on streaming, plus real time updates from top Twitter contributors.

Live Stream:
Audi Live Racing
FIA WEC website

Radio Le Mans:
Radio Le Mans full radio coverage

Live Tweet Updates:
Audi Sport official Twitter
Audi Motorsport Blog 
Audi R18 #1 (by Fourtitude)
Audi R18 #2 (by Fourtitude)
Dailysportscar
L'endurance Live

Front row of the grid for Audi and Lucas di Grassi in Brazil

Audi Press Release

• Strong debut by local hero Lucas di Grassi
• Audi R18 ultra ahead of of R18 e-tron quattro for the first time
• Good starting positions for both cars for fifth race of the season

Ingolstadt/São Paulo, September 14, 2012 – Successful beginning: A day after Lucas di Grassi celebrated his debut with Audi Sport Team Joest, the Brazilian made a strong showing at his home round. In qualifying for the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), he posted the fastest time by an Audi racer and will start from position two on the front row. His team-mate André Lotterer took third place.

Right from the beginning, Lucas di Grassi in the Audi R18 ultra kept the upper hand within the team in qualifying. The 28-year-old pro from São Paulo was faster on his three timed laps in the number “2” Audi than his team-mate André Lotterer in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro designated as car number “1.”

Lotterer, who said that he had tackled his first timed lap too conservatively, reduced the team-internal deficit in the course of four laps from an initial 1.623 to 0.185 seconds. In the end, though, the German, who had set the fastest time in qualifying this year at Sebring and at Le Mans, had to admit defeat.

After the two R18 cars had finished their qualifying trials as planned, challenger Toyota countered and in the end achieved the best lap time. With that, Audi had to admit defeat in qualifying for the first time in the 2012 WEC season.

The relative strength on a timed lap, though, should not prejudge the performances to be expected during the six-hour race on Saturday. Audi thoroughly prepared for the fifth race of the season in all practice sessions, tested various tire options and strategic scenarios. Therefore, fans can expect to see a thrilling battle of the concepts on the 4-309-kilometer track tomorrow.

Eurosport will broadcast the race live (start: Saturday 12:00-16:00 local time/17:00 -21:00 CEST plus the last 15 minutes). The broadcast of the fifth round can be watched live on the internet also – www.audi-liveracing.com offers complete coverage.

Qualifying results

1 Wurz/Lapierre (Toyota) 1m 22.363s
2 di Grassi/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 ultra) 1m 23.147s
3 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 23.332s
4 Prost/Jani (Lola-Toyota) 1m 23.962s
5 Leventis/Watts/Kane (HPD-Honda) 1m 24.089s
6 Belicchi/Primat (Lola-Toyota) 1m 24.179s
7 Brabham/Chandhok/Dumbreck (HPD-Honda) 1m 24.320s
8 Potolicchio/Dalziel/Sarrazin (HPD-Honda) 1m 27.048s
9 Martin/Charouz/Graves (Oreca-Nissan) 1m 27.153s
10 Panciatici/Ragues/Rusinov (Oreca-Nissan) 1m 27.167s

Video: Audi wins FIA World Endurance Championship

By Johan Laubscher

Round four of the new FIA World Endurance Championship was hosted at Silverstone. The weekend witnessed a great battle between the Audi and Toyota teams. The race ended with Audi taking the victory ahead of the Toyota, as the superior fuel efficiency of the Audi ensured the win. Along with the Silverstone victory Audi also claimed the FIA WEC manufactures title, a very successful weekend for Audi Sport Team Joest.

Here is the Audi Sport PR highlights video from the Silverstone weekend, hosted at Audi.tv. 

McNish Loses World Endurance Championship Lead With Third Place At Silverstone

Allan McNish Press Release

Ertswhile FIA World Endurance Championship leader Allan McNish slipped to second in the standings after the Briton could only manage third place at Silverstone today (Sunday 26 Aug).

Dumfries-born McNish and co-driver Tom Kristensen (Denmark) steered their conventional diesel-engined Audi home 74.427secs behind the diesel-hybrid Audi R18 e-tron quattro of Marcel Fässler (CH)/André Lotterer (D)/ Benoît Tréluyer in the Silverstone Six Hour race.

McNish & Kristensen, who finished 18.752secs adrift of the second-placed Toyota, are now 4.5-points behind “factory” Audi Sport team-mates Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer at the halfway stage in the eight-race championship which resumes in São Paulo, Brazil, on 15 September.

“Tom and I had good speed with our R18 and knew if we could save fuel, it would mean one less scheduled pit-stop,” reflected McNish.

“Unfortunately pitting due to a slow puncture put us out of contention then the Safety Car lost us any lingering chance that we had.

“From then on it was a case of battling to see where we could finish and unfortunately we just missed out on second.

“Congratulations to Marcel, André and Benoît. Tom and I drop to second place in the standings but Tom and I will be doubly determined to bounce back in Brazil.”

Kristensen started the annual race from second position on the 35-car grid – courtesy of McNish in qualifying the previous day, the Scotsman deprived of pole-position by Tréluyer by a mere 0.010secs in the dying moments but dropped to third at the first corner.

Having taken over the third-placed Audi with 1hr42m on the clock, McNish was cruelly forced to pit moments later with a right rear slow puncture caused by debris.

To compound the Scotsman’s misery, he then went a lap down to the leaders after the race’s first full course caution period following an on-track incident with almost two hours gone.

McNish moved to within five seconds of the second-placed Toyota after an energy sapping 160min stint while Kristensen unlapped himself in the closing stages.

The Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer Audi went on to clock up 194 untroubled laps – only a stop-go penalty for contact with a slower car causing any alarm – in the 711.98-mile race staged in dry weather conditions throughout which earned the German manufacturer the WEC Manufacturer’s title.

The McNish/Kristensen R18 ultra is powered by a V6 turbocharged diesel engine delivering around 510hp through the rear wheels while the R18 e-tron quattro, piloted by 2011 & ’12 Le Mans 24 Hour winning trio Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer, benefited from an extra near 200hp transmitted through its front axle above 75mph at four specific “zones” around Silverstone’s 3.67-mile Grand Prix track using power “harvested” under braking.

Lucas di Grassi to compete for Audi in Brazil

Audi Press Release

• Former Formula One racer to experience debut at fifth FIA WEC round
• Home race at São Paulo in Audi R18 ultra
• Brazilian becomes team-mate of Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish

Ingolstadt, August 22, 2012 – Audi has signed Lucas di Grassi, a local driver with Formula One experience, for the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) on September 15.

Two premieres in September: For the first time, an LMP sports car fielded by Audi under a factory commitment will be running at a race in Brazil and for the first time, a Brazilian is receiving the opportunity to compete in Audi’s sports car program. “We’re delighted to be able to provide the audience here, the media, our importer Audi Brazil and of course the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a special link to this location,” emphasizes Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We’re giving Lucas di Grassi a chance to compete at home as an ambassador for endurance racing and to fight for overall victory in the Audi R18.”

After a career in kart racing, Lucas di Grassi competed in the Formula 3 Euro Series as part of the DTM’s supporting program, moved up into the GP2 Series and finished as the runner-up in 2007, was a Formula One test driver and ultimately, in 2010, a Grand Prix race driver. “The WEC race is a nice opportunity to attract attention at home together with Audi,” says the delighted 28-year-old talent. “Endurance racing is a fascinating discipline of motorsport which I’ve only experienced in tests so far. That’s why I’m particularly excited about my debut in the WEC for Audi alongside two big names like Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen.”

In 2009, the Latin American from São Paulo tested an Audi R10 TDI for the Kolles private team for the first time and completed two other sports car tests for a different team last year. To prepare for the fifth WEC round, di Grassi tested an Audi R18 ultra at the Lausitzring for three days in early August. “He left a good impression then, which motivated us to sign him,” says Dr. Ullrich.

Lucas di Grassi’s run in the Audi R18 ultra designated as car number “2” is limited to the fifth race of the season. As planned, the current leaders of the standings, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, will be tackling the rounds at Silverstone, Bahrain, Japan and China as a duo.

Audi’s McNish Aims For “Home” Rule In Britain’s World Endurance Championship Encounter

Allan McNish Press Release

• Series leader McNish sets sights on maximum score at Silverstone in Scotsman’s World title quest
• UK competition début for Le Mans 24 Hour race winning Audi R18 e-tron quattro in final European-based race of season

Allan McNish will be hoping for “home” rule when the Briton contests the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Silverstone on Sunday (26 Aug).

The Dumfries-born driver jointly leads the eight-race WEC by 6.5pts with co-driver Tom Kristensen (Denmark) from Audi Sport team-mates Marcel Fässler (CH)/André Lotterer (D)/Benoît Tréluyer (F).

McNish shares a diesel-engined Audi R18 ultra with Kristensen and is determined to claim a maximum points haul before the series moves onto races in Brazil, Bahrain, Japan and China.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to racing after a couple of months out since Le Mans and there is no better place for me than at Silverstone,” commented McNish.

“This track has been very important to me ever since my first car race. I was on pole for that race back in 1987 and enjoyed many victories in other ‘junior’ formulas and more recently sportscars with Audi.”

McNish is a winner of the corresponding Silverstone Six Hour race on three occasions. While he only gets the opportunity to race at Britain’s Grand Prix venue once a year nowadays, McNish raced frequently at Silverstone earlier in career – the first time in March 1987.

Having posted fourth (Spa Six Hours) and second (Le Mans 24 Hours) placings in the last two WEC races, McNish is intent on returning to winning ways which got his title assault off to a flying start in the Sebring 12 Hours (USA) five months ago.

Allan added: “I’ve started the corresponding race from the front row of the grid for the last two years only for little niggles to frustrate us in each race but those are in the past now.

“Tom [Kristensen] and I are leading the WEC driver’s championship so we are very eager for the Silverstone race and the opportunity to increase our points advantage.”

McNish with the R18 ultra this time

The McNish/Kristensen R18 ultra is powered by a conventional V6 turbocharged diesel engine delivering around 510hp through the rear wheels while the R18 e-tron quattro, piloted by 2011 & ’12 Le Mans 24 Hour race winning trio Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer, benefits briefly from an extra near 200hp, transmitted only through its front axle above 75mph at four specific “zones” around Silverstone’s 3.67-mile Grand Prix track, using power “harvested” under braking from the 50metre board at corners three, six, 15 and 16.


McNish continued: “Silverstone is a tricky circuit. It is fast featuring awkward corners, like Copse, Maggots, Becketts, Stowe - even the new first corner is fast - but then there are some slow sections. The new section is tricky because you come from very high speed and suddenly the car has got to work in really tight corners.

“Our Audi R18 ultra is primarily designed for fast, sweeping 180mph corners at Le Mans rather than 40mph turns but that is an element us drivers and our engineers must adapt the car to.

“The competition with Toyota will increase with each race and I think they will be extremely strong at Silverstone. They came out of Le Mans with a lot of positive feeling, knowing they are competitive, they will be trying very hard to ensure that they give us a run for our money and I am very sure they will.”

Practice begins on Friday (1130-1300 & 1600-1730) with qualifying for the anticipated 35-car entry on Saturday (1520-1540). The race begins at 1200 on Sunday (26 Aug).

Audi aims to continue string of endurance race victories in England

Audi Sport Press Release

·         Le Mans winning trio on grid in Audi R18 e-tron quattro

·         Allan McNish shares R18 ultra with Tom Kristensen at home round

·         Competition of the concepts at Silverstone

Ingolstadt, August 17, 2012 - Audi is entering the crucial phase of the season with the momentum of three victories achieved by the R18. At Silverstone (Great Britain), the fourth of eight rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship will be held on August 26.
 
Sports car fans are looking forward to the upcoming race in the United Kingdom with eager anticipation. After Audi clinched its eleventh victory at Le Mans, and celebrated the first win of a hybrid vehicle, the next challenges are now to be tackled. For the first time in two decades, the FIA is sanctioning a world championship title for the sports car sector and this battle is now entering its crucial phase. Within the space of just nine weeks, the WEC is holding events in five countries on three continents, starting at Silverstone in Great Britain. 

There are several reasons that raise suspense to particularly high levels. No less than three different Audi driver squads have won the first three rounds - with three different versions of the R18 sports car. In addition, challenger Toyota showed a remarkable performance on its premiere at Le Mans, so that a tough duel can be expected in the second half of the season. 
 
There is a third thrilling aspect that makes the LMP sports cars particularly intriguing from a technological point of view. As the conditions for hybrid vehicles vary from track to track there is really no way of telling which concept will ultimately prevail. One of the reasons for this lies in the individual layouts of the various tracks and the other in the definitions by the FIA and WEC sporting authorities. For the 5.901-kilometer circuit at Silverstone, for instance, only four braking zones are planned in which the energy that is recovered in braking events may be released again.
 
Right at the beginning of the season, Audi decided to contest the rounds following the 24-hour race with a hybrid vehicle and a conventionally powered race car. After their second consecutive Le Mans victory, Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer are driving the R18 e-tron quattro hybrid sports car designated as car number "1." Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, who are running as a duo, are switching to the cockpit of the Audi R18 ultra that will be marked as car number "2." With an advantage of only 6.5 points, they are leading the standings in front of the Le Mans winners.

For McNish, who has been victorious at Silverstone with Audi as many as three times, the fourth race of the season is a home round. And for Audi, the event is about clinching the first victory on this tradition-steeped track in four years. But Great Britain not only has high sporting value for the brand with the four rings, as the United Kingdom has continued to be its second-largest European sales market through the first half of 2012. 
 
Spectators watching the race on a screen have numerous information channels available to them. In addition to national TV broadcasts, www.audi-liveracing.com offers unique cockpit camera perspectives and consolidated race reports. Plus the Audi Sport iPhone app covers WEC reporting with tickers, news, pictures and results. 
 
Topics of the weekend
 
-How will the R18 e-tron quattro benefit from the Silverstone track and how the R18 ultra?
-How well will Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen adjust to the R18 ultra?
-How will the battle with Toyota develop?
-Which driver team will leave Silverstone as the leaders of the standings at the season’s midpoint?

Quotes by the officials

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "At Silverstone, I’m expecting a very close battle with Toyota. We’ve analyzed the lap times at Le Mans. By applying this knowledge to the specific requirements at Silverstone we’ve got to assume that our opponent Toyota will probably be competing at a high level. So the question of who can deliver the better performance for six hours straight and stay clear of all trouble will be crucial."
 
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): "This is guaranteed to be a thrilling race. We’re again running with two concepts and we’ve got to wait and see which of these will be the better one at Silverstone. Toyota showed its capabilities for the first time this summer at Le Mans and lasted for a six-hour distance. It’s true that Audi has won all races so far but the competitive pressure is rising. Not even the manufacturers’ world championship has been decided yet, and the drivers’ championship is wide open. Our aim is to keep a clean slate at the season’s last European race."

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Marcel Fässler (36/CH), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1
-In 2009, as the runner-up, achieved his best Silverstone result
-The Le Mans winner is contesting the remainder of the season with two team-mates
"I’m really happy to continue to drive the R18 e-tron quattro that we were so successful with at Le Mans. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to contest the entire championship. My team-mates and I won Le Mans for the second time. Now the next challenge is following. We want to battle for the title in this new championship because we’ve only got a deficit of 6.5 points. But with five rounds to go it’s still a long road."
 
André Lotterer (30/D), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1
-Has already scored two Le Mans victories
-Has been on pole twice in the first three races of the season
"We’re traveling to Silverstone with a very positive feeling. I’m pleased to be sharing the car with Benoît (Tréluyer) and Marcel (Fässler). We get on really well and are a team. It’s been a long break after Le Mans. I’m happy that there’s a world championship now as well. That’s another motivation boost. When I was racing at Silverstone in Formula 3 I was very familiar with the track but it has significantly changed since then. So I did my home work on my simulator. I’m hoping for us to be able to take the lead of the standings." 
 
Benoît Tréluyer (35/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1
-Celebrated his second Le Mans victory in June
-Has never contested a sports car race at Silverstone before
"I’m happy about the trust that is being placed in us. The Le Mans winning trio has been given the opportunity to contest the entire WEC season through to the finale for Audi and fight for the title. The season will be exciting because there are still five races on the calendar. However, I’m not familiar with all the tracks yet that we’ll be driving on. I’ve completed a large number of virtual laps at Silverstone on my new race simulator to optimally prepare myself. Now I’m really eager to see what the real track will be like."
 
Tom Kristensen (45/DK), Audi R18 ultra #2
-The eight-time Le Mans winner was victorious at the WEC opening race in March
-The leader of the standings is sharing the R18 ultra with Allan McNish for the first time
"After Le Mans, there’s been a summer break and now we’re moving forward again on the calendar. All the batteries have been recharged again. We’re leading the standings after Sebring, Spa and Le Mans. Allan (McNish) and I are now sharing an Audi R18 ultra. The battle between the concepts is a nice challenge. The race at Silverstone will no doubt be a thriller. It would be great to be in contention for the top spot on the podium at Allan’s home round."
 
Allan McNish (42/GB), Audi R18 ultra #2
-Has won his home round as many as three times
-Is traveling to Silverstone as leader of the WEC standings
-Started from the first row in the past two years
"Tom (Kristensen) and I are leading the drivers’ world championship. At my home round, before we’re traveling to Brazil, we are clearly aiming to build on our championship lead. Silverstone is a tricky track. You’ve got to master the quick turns but not lose any time in the slow corners either. The same goes for our technical crew."
 
The Audi drivers at Silverstone

Marcel Fässler (CH): *May 27, 1976 in Einsiedeln (CH); residence: Gross (CH); married to Isabel, four daughters (Shana, Elin, Yael and Delia); height 1.78 m; weight 78 kg; Audi driver since 2008; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 3; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 0; WEC fastest laps: 1; best result Silverstone: 2
 
Tom Kristensen (DK): *Jul 07, 1967 in Hobro (DK); residence: Monaco (MC); single (partner: Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald) and one daughter (Carla Malou); height: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2000; Le Mans victories: 8; WEC races: 3; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 0; WEC fastest laps: 0; best result Silverstone: 7
 
André Lotterer (D): *Nov 19, 1981 in Duisburg (D); residence: Tokyo (J); single; height 1.84 m; weight 74 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 3; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 2; WEC fastest laps: 1; best result Silverstone: -

Allan McNish (GB): *Dec 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB); residence: Monaco (MC); married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte); height: 1.65 m; weight: 60 kg; Audi driver since 2000; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 3; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 1; WEC fastest laps: 0; best result Silverstone: 1

Benoît Tréluyer (F): *Dec 07, 1976 in Alençon (F); residence: Gordes (F); married to Melanie, 1 son (Jules); height 1.78 m; weight 68 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 3; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 0; WEC fastest laps: 0; best result Silverstone: -
 
All Silverstone winners (since 2000)
 
2000 Müller/Lehto (BMW)
2004 McNish/Kaffer (Audi)
2005 McNish/Ortelli (Audi)
2007 Gené/Minassian (Peugeot)
2008 McNish/Capello (Audi)
2009 Panis/Lapierre (Oreca)
2010 Davidson/Minassian (Peugeot)
2011 Pagenaud/Bourdais (Peugeot)
 
Track info
 
Track length: 5.901 km 
Race duration: 6 hours
Qualifying record on this track: Allan McNish (Audi), Sep 11, 2010, 1m 43.475s (204.954 km/h)
Race record on this track: Nicolas Lapierre (Peugeot), Sep 12, 2010, 1m 44.338s (203.259 km/h)
Pole position 2011: Simon Pagenaud (Peugeot), Sep 10, 2011, 1m 43.924s (204.068 km/h)
Fastest lap 2011: Sébastien Bourdais (Peugeot), Sep 11, 2011, 1m 46.586s (198.972 km/h)

Allan McNish about Silverstone: "Silverstone is the epitome of motorsport in the UK for many visitors. My career in car racing started there as well. At that time, the former airfield was a high-speed facility. Since then, many sections have been modified, which has resulted in a very tricky track. On the one hand, a lot of the fast places, such as Copse, Maggotts and Becketts, have remained. The new first turn is fast as well. But there are several very slow corners too. You arrive at high speed but then the car has to be pleasant to drive even in very narrow places. Principally speaking, our cars were obviously optimized for Le Mans. But that’s a piece of this puzzle: you’ve got to master the fast turns but not lose any time in the slow corners either. This goes for us drivers as well as for the work of the technical crew that sets up our cars."
 
WEC drivers’ standings after 3 of 8 rounds
1 Capello/Kristensen/McNish, 77 points; 2 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer, 70,5; 3 Dumas/Duval, 67; 4 Gené, 49; 5 Heidfeld/Jani/Prost, 42,5; 6 Dalziel/Potolicchio, 31,5; 7 Dumbreck/Chandhok/Brabham, 22,5; 8 Ayari/Kaffer/Companc 20,5; 9 Bernhard, 18; 10 Kimber-Smith, 16.

WEC manufacturers’ standings after 3 of 8 rounds
1 Audi, 103 points, 2 Toyota, 0.
 
Schedule (local times; CET - 1 hour)

Friday, August 24
11:30-13:00 Free practice 1
16:00-17:30 Free practice 2
 
Saturday, August 25
11:00-12:00 Free practice 3
15:20-15:40 Qualifying LMP1 & LMP2
 
Sunday, August 26
08:55-09:15 Warm-up
12:00-18:00 Race
Approx. 18:15 FIA WEC press conference

Audi vs Toyota duel to resume, WEC Silverstone entry list

By Johan Laubshcer

Many people had doubted the potential performance of the new Toyota Racing TS030 before Le Mans. After the testing accident and subsequent withdrawal from Spa, few had high hopes for a good showing at the Le Mans debut. But Toyota surprised everyone at Le Mans with very competitive pace and even pressurising the Audi team during the first quarter of the Le Mans 24 Hours race.

The new duel of Audi versus Toyota is set to continue for the rest of the year. Both manufactures are committed to the rest of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship. The top three cars of the WEC series will be spread over three different models. One Audi R18 e-tron quattro, one Audi R18 ultra and one Toyota TS030 will do battle in the remainder of the season.

Audi announced the names of its driver squads a day ahead of the provisional entry list being published by the FIA. It is a healthy thirty-seven car field that will race at Silverstone on August 26 with two Audis amongst the list.

Audi driver line up:

#1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro - Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, Benoît Treluyer

#2 Audi R18 ultra - Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish

WEC Silverstone entry list:

More information:

FIA WEC website

FIA WEC FB page

WEC Silverstone entry list

Audi quintet to battle for World Championship title

Audi Sport Press Release 

• ·         Championship leaders Kristensen/McNish compete as a duo
• ·         Le Mans winners Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer remain united
• ·         Dindo Capello ends career as factory driver after 19 years

Ingolstadt, July 23, 2012 - On August 26, Audi will start into the second half of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season at Silverstone with two strong driver squads.

Audi managed to make a brilliant start into the new World Endurance Championship. After three victories at the three rounds held so far, at Sebring (USA), Spa (B) and Le Mans (F), Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich’s team is now focused on defending its lead in the standings. As announced at the time of submitting the entries in February the line-up after Le Mans will be reduced to two vehicles. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro - car number "1" - will be shared by Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D) and Benoît Tréluyer (F), the trio with whom Audi achieved its eleventh victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. "Our three drivers have found a perfect rhythm and celebrated their second consecutive Le Mans victory, so it’s a good idea to continue letting them run as a threesome," says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. The Swiss, the German and the Frenchman are currently sharing second place in the standings with a 6.5-point gap.
 

The leaders of the standings are competing in a new formation. Allan McNish (GB) and Tom Kristensen (DK), the winners of the Sebring 12 Hours that opened the season, will now start to drive the number "2" Audi R18 ultra as a team of two. On the expiration of Dindo Capello’s driver contract at the end of the year, the 2012 season marks the end point of an unusually successful partnership. The Italian had an agreement with Audi to quit after Le Mans. Dindo Capello served Audi as a factory driver for 19 years. Yet the Italian will continue to be closely associated with the brand - not only as an Audi dealer and racer.
 

Dindo Capello has achieved a rare feat in racing. For almost two decades, the professional driver celebrated countless race victories, prestigious champion titles and numerous other successes in sports cars and touring cars - and all of them for a single group of carmakers.

The family father from Canelli scored almost all of his major successes since 1994 together with Audi. In 1996, he was Italian Super Touring Car Champion in the Audi A4 quattro. As well as two of his three Le Mans victories he celebrated all five wins of the Sebring 12 Hours and the two champion titles in the American Le Mans Series at the wheel of Audi LMP sports prototypes. His first success at La Sarthe was clinched in 2003 for the group’s Bentley brand. As late as in March 2012, he achieved a hard-fought overall victory at the Sebring 12 Hours alongside his long-standing team-mates Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen.
 

"This is an extremely unusual string of successes and a very emotional moment. On behalf of Audi I would like to express a huge thank you to Dindo," says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich whose initial driver signings included Capello. "Dindo was at the top of the sport for 19 years and all employees at Audi Sport were pleased to make this possible for him. I am proud of both. In terms of the sport as well as in a personal and professional sense - it has always been a pleasure to work with Dindo and to know that he was part of our team. He is a valuable brand ambassador and we are delighted to see him continue to be associated with Audi after the end of his active career."

Capello, who celebrated second place at Le Mans plus his 48th birthday on June 17, holds an interest in three Audi centers in his native Piedmont. In parallel to his sports car program, Capello established a second pillar in motorsport. For Audi Sport Italia, he has continually been competing in the Italian GT Championship in an Audi R8 LMS since 2009.

"I would like to address a really, really big thank you to Audi on my part," stresses Capello. "Audi has become my brand - professionally and based on my personal conviction. Together, we have achieved so much and demonstrated pioneering achievements again and again. The support from Audi, all employees at Audi Sport and the teams was fantastic, just like in a big family. Naturally, there is a feeling of sadness too, as this departure from the factory team is not easy. But I remain associated with the brand and will continue to contest races because the Audi R8 LMS ultra is a wonderful GT3 vehicle. I am saying goodbye with a clear conscience because I have no unfinished business with my sport. In all disciplines and categories, Audi and I together have achieved the maximum with victories and titles. As late as in March, we won at Sebring and I’m currently ranking in first place of the WEC standings. I wanted to quit at a time when I was still able to show top performances. This is a pleasant feeling. Should Audi ever get into a situation in which I’m needed I’ll of course be ready to assist."

Audi is well prepared for Le Mans 24 Hours

Audi Press Release

• Le Mans premiere for Audi R18 ultra and R18 e-tron quattro
• Eleven drivers take turns at the wheel
• Positions one to three for Audi in first comparison

At the Le Mans test day held two weeks before the 24-hour race, Audi completed its preparation phase with a wealth of valuable findings. The brand’s first diesel hybrid sports car set the fastest time of the day. Allan McNish in the number “2” Audi R18 e-tron quattro was the quickest driver on the tradition-steeped track at La Sarthe.

Audi Sport Team Joest made efficient use of the only testing opportunity of the year at Le Mans. The two Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra vehicles covered a total distance of 4,497 kilometers on the circuit that is primarily made up of public roads. From the suspension set-up and aerodynamics through to tire tests, handling of the LMP sports prototypes with varying amounts of fuel and the comparison of the concepts, the engineers gathered valuable data for the year’s most important endurance race. Occasional precipitation in some areas made for changeable conditions on the 13.629-kilometer track though.  

Marco Bonanomi, the only Audi factory driver who has previously never participated in the Le Mans 24 Hours, qualified for the grid by completing ten mandatory laps and numerous additional kilometers in the number “4” Audi R18 ultra.

The day’s fastest time of 3m 25.927s was achieved by Allan McNish. An excursion by the Scotsman at Tertre Rouge, though, put a premature end to the track presence of car number “1” one hour before the test was over. With positions one, two, three and six plus a wealth of valuable data Audi concluded the test day on an extremely positive note and thoroughly completed its preparations.

Quotes after the test day

Dieter Gass (Head of Racing Commitments): “Throughout the day, we gathered a lot of information which forms an important element in our preparation for the race two weeks from now. We can basically draw the conclusion that after today, the race at Spa and the winter test program we feel well prepared. The conditions today weren’t completely perfect at all times and we had some downtimes in the morning the causes of which we’re going to rectify by the time of the race. Today, we also finally had the opportunity to meet with our major rival, Toyota, on the race track. As expected, the team presented itself in a very professional manner and with a fast car, so we’re looking forward to an interesting race.” 

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “We did a good job of completing our program. Fortunately, it was dry most of the time because you can hardly test tires in rain showers. The tire program was one of the major items on our task list. Car number “2” had a problem in the fuel system at first but it could be repaired quickly. Allan’s accident was a shame. But these things can happen when you’re quick – and he was quick. Both vehicle types, the R18 e-tron quattro and the ultra, were running well. Toyota’s first public appearance deserves respect. Our competitor was immediately fast and completed a lot of laps. We’re pleased and can prepare for the race weekend.”

Dindo Capello (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “This was a positive test day. All drivers were quick right away. Our car is clearly better compared to last year. It’s easier to drive and provides better feedback in all areas. It was really good fun to drive the R18 e-tron quattro. I feel familiar with the car and look forward to the race.”

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “On this good and important day we experienced a lot of sun and a little rain. All four of Audi’s race cars had a productive test day. We gathered a lot of data with the two different concepts, which gives us a meaningful base for the race week. It was exciting to experience the new Audi on this track for the first time. In the morning, I drove the second-fastest time and felt very comfortable. Like last year when I did, Allan set the best time. We want to continue this in the race week. Two other nice results: I take my hat off to the performance of our new rival Toyota. And I was very pleased to see that the ACO has further improved several sections of the track.”

Allan McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “Our day was very productive but ended in disappointment. Dindo (Capello) already felt very comfortable in the car and Tom (Kristensen) further improved balance. That meant I took over a car that was set up well for the areas of the track that have new tarmac. As always, grip was low on the dirty track at the beginning of the test day. I drove fast and consistent lap times. Unfortunately, toward the end while entering Tertre Rouge I briefly touched the grass, spun 360 degrees and touched the guard rails. That unfortunately ended the day but we’ve got a good starting point for the race week. Balance of the R18 e-tron quattro is very good.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “The test day went very well. We tried different things such as tire pressures, set-up and aerodynamics. This means that we’ve gathered information for the race two weeks from now and can travel to Le Mans well prepared.”

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “So far, so good. We had a lot of priorities for testing, from the suspension through to the performance of the tires across the distance. We thoroughly analyzed consumption as well. These are our most important questions on such test days. Obviously, you want to get a better idea of what’s possible in the end too. But as it was raining the ultimate lap time wasn’t the only focal topic.”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “We tried out various set-ups. In the process, we also tested a few things that had previously been confirmed by simulation but which still needed to be verified again on the track. The car feels very comfortable and compared with last year we improved handling yet again. The hybrid system works very well and balance is right. I’m pleased.”

Romain Dumas (Audi R18 ultra #3): “Compared to last year we’ve got a car that’s both quicker and better balanced. You can primarily feel this in the fast sections like the Porsche corners. I’ve not personally tested the car’s limits. In the morning, we tried out set-ups, and in the afternoon tires.”

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 ultra #3): “Basically, things went well even though the weather cost us a bit of time today like it did everyone else. That meant we couldn’t exactly stick to our plan but still managed to check off almost everything on our list. Everyone is happy with the car. With respect to the set-up we’re already doing very detailed work.”

Marc Gené (Audi R18 ultra #3): “For me it was good to get used to the new car on this track. The morning went well and I reeled off two longer distances. The car felt good and I was pleased with my rhythm too. My team-mates then further improved the set-up in the afternoon. Our car is fast and that’s nice.”

Marco Bonanomi (Audi R18 ultra #4): “This was a tremendous experience. It was nice for me to be able to do so many laps at Le Mans for the first time in my life. We learned a lot and varied the set-up. The direction of our development is right. In the morning I felt particularly comfortable and the lap times were easy to achieve. Of course I’ve got to get to know the track first. We’re ready for the race. Audi is very good, and Toyota not far away. That’s nice for the fans and not easy for us.”

Oliver Jarvis (Audi R18 ultra #4): “It’s great to be back at Le Mans. It’s been such a long time that I was here. The atmosphere is fantastic even two weeks before the race. This is an exciting phase. I’m already looking forward very much to the race week that starts next Sunday. Marco and I had no problem getting used to the car and the track today.”