Italian GT: Dindo Capello and Audi Sport Italia victorious in Misano race 1

By Tarek Ramchani

A great and emotional race win today for Audi Sport Italia at Misano. The official Audi Italia dealer team victorious in the first race of the 2014 Italian GT Championship.

After a very hard 2013 season, Audi Sport Italia is showing great performances at Misano this weekend.
Dindo Capello and team-mate Zonzini Emanuele won the opening event with their #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra. The two drivers started from positin six and charged back to take the race lead and win after great battles on track with some Ferrari 458 GT3s.

Their team-mates Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoffler driving the #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra were unlucky. After taking a sensational pole position in qualifying  earlier today the two drivers finished in eighth place.

Race 2 is set for tomorrow. We wish good luck to Audi Sport Italia and their drivers.

Photo credit: Italian GT Championship.

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia heading to Misano with two Audi R8 LMS ultra

By Tarek Ramchani

The 2014 Italian GT Championship 2014 season will kick off at Misano World Circuit this upcoming weekend. Audi Sport Italia will enter the event with a pair of Audi R8 LMS ultra cars.

The official Audi Italia dealer team is returning to Italian GT Championship for the sixth straight year. Since 2009 the team always been a big protagonist in the series with Marco Bonanomi title in 2011 as a highlight.

As was the case in recent years, Audi Sport Italia will field two cars. A familiar name and some new faces will share the driving of the two cars.

Dindo Capello a true Audi legend will target his first ever Italian GT driver title. He will share the #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra with Zonzini Emanuele. The sister #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra will be driven by Marco Mapelli and Thomas Schoffler. These are two strong driver line-ups allowing Audi Sport Italia to challenge for race wins and the overall championship title.

At Misano the two Italian Audis will have to fight hard against a quality field. Seventeen GT3 cars are entering the season opener with teams from Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini and Corvette.

Big change this year in Italian GT with Pirelli is back as the exclusive tire supplier replacing Avon.

Photo credit: Audi Media

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia back with two Audi R8 LMS ultra

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi Sport Italia will enter the 2014 Italian GT Championship with two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars. This will mark the sixth straight year for the official Audi Italia dealer team in the Campionato Italian Gran Turismo.

Team principal Emilio Radaelli announced that his team will take part in the full season and will target the title. The drivers line-ups will be announced later, however Mr Radaelli mentioned that he is trying to bring a new youngster with a target to promote him as a factory driver like they did in the past with Filipe Albuquerque and Marco Bonanomi.

It is also expected to see Dindo Capello back with the team. The Italian Audi legend has always been involved with Audi Sport Italia's efforts in Italian GT Championship since 2009.

The 2014 Italian GT Championship season will kick off at Misano, May 11th.

Photo credit: Campionato Italian Gran Turismo

Special Dindo Capello tribute display at Auto e Moto D'epoca in Italy

By Johan Laubscher

Audi Sport Club Italia has a display at the Auto e Moto D'epoca show in Italy this weekend. Their display includes a very special tribute to one of Audi’s legendary race drivers.

This is the fifth year that Audi Sport Club Italia has attended the show with a display of Audi cars. They normally attend the show with a theme. Last year it was a rally theme and this year their display is a tribute to a legendary Italian Audi race driver, none other than, Rinaldo Capello.

Four race cars are on display, all of which were driven by Capello. Audi Sport Italia provided three of the cars. The first two cars include the 1994 Audi 80 Competition and the 1998 Audi A4 STW, which were driven by Rinaldo Capello in the Italian Super Touring Championship. The third car is the Audi R8 LMS ultra which Capello drove during the 2013 Italian GT season, the car is displayed next to an Audi R8 V10 plus road car. Capello’s 2012 Sebring 12 Hours winning Audi R18 TDI is the fourth car on display, the car that now resides at one of Capello’s Audi dealerships in Italy.

The Auto e Moto D'epoca show will be taking place this weekend, from 24-27 October.

We have included a set of photos from the show below, including photos of Audi Sport Italia loading the cars and heading to the show earlier this week.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Club Italia

Italian GT: Second place for Audi Sport Italia in Vallelunga race 1

By Tarek Ramchani

The Italian GT Championship is at Vallelguna this weekend, for sixth round of the season. Audi Sport Italia is taking part in the event with their two regular Audi R8 LMS ultra cars.

Race 1 held this morning gave the official Audi Italia dealer team a fine result. Strong second for the #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra with drivers Alex Frassineti and Johan Kritoffersson. After a very frought race the two drivers were really close to the winning BMW Z4 GT3 from ROAL Motorsport. The Audi was very fast catching the  BMW car for the race lead but time was running out. In the end Alex Frassineti and Johan Kritoffersson were only 0.644 behind the Team BMW Italia car and setting the fastest lap of the race. A great performance after the hard qualifying sessions yesterday.

Harder race for the the sister #4 Audi R8 LMS ultra which was further behind. The car shared by Dindo Capello and Andrea Sonvico finished fifth overall.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Gallery: Audi R18 TDI at Dindo Capello's Audi Zentrum Alessandria

By Tarek Ramchani

Dindo Capello retired from Le Mans competition as a factory Audi driver last year. The Italian had a great career with the Inglostadt brand from 1994 to 2012.  First in touring car racing with Audi Sport Italia, claiming the 1996 title with the A4 quattro Super Touring. He then followed Audi on their Le Mans sportscar assault. Dindo Capello won the Le Mans 24 Hours overall three times, two for Audi and one for Bentley.

Successes also came in the American Le Mans Series and the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring. Dindo Capello is still racing with Audi, taking part in the Italian GT Championship this season with Audi Sport Italia and the R8 LMS ultra, more about that here.

As recognition for his successful career and loyalty to the brand, Audi AG has given Dindo the ultimate gift. The Audi R18 TDI (chassis #102), which won the 2012 12 Hours of Sebring, is now on permanent loan from Audi for Capello. Here is a selection of nice photos from our friend "Mr Monza" Stefano Ciabattoni. The Audi R18 TDI is at Audi Zentrum Alessandria, one of Dindo Capello's Audi centers.

You can read all about Dindo Capello's career with Audi right here.

More information:
Audi Zentrum Alessandria official website
Audi Zentrum Alessandria official Facebook

Photo credit: Stefano Ciabattoni

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia very hard race 2 at Misano

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi Sport Italia had a very unlucky race 1 at Misano today. Race 2 was a kind of deja vu. A very frustrating season opener for the official Audi Italia dealer team.

Johan Kristoffersson and Alex Frassineti, who shared the #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra, finished in seventh place. They started from the back of the field, just as in race 1, and had to make an unscheduled pit-stop due to a puncture. The sister #4 car of Dindo Capello and Andrea Sonvico was ninth, a lap down. Andrea Sonvico faced brakes problems in his stint, after taking over the car from Dindo Capello.

Race victory went to the #77 Porsche GT3 R of Antonelli Motorsport, second was the #41 Ferrari 458 of MP1 Corse, and in third another Porsche GT3 R the #44 of Ebimotors. Race 2 results are here.

The next round of the Italian GT Championship is set for June, at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Italian GT: Unlucky race 1 for Audi Sport Italia at Misano

By Tarek Ramchani

The first race of the 2013 Italian GT Championship took place this morning. Audi Sport Italia had a very unlucky race with their two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars.

The #5 Audi R8 LMS ultra shared by Johan Kristoffersson and Alex Frassineti finished in sixth place, they started from far behind, after failing to complete a flying lap in qualifying. Both Kristoffersson and Frassineti bounced back and gained a lot of positions. Their teammates Dindo Capello and Andrea Sonvico started sixth, but finished eighth in the end. The #4 Audi R8 LMS ultra was hit by a drive through penalty just after Capello took over from Sonvico, for contact with a Ferrari 458. A very big shame as the car was battling for the podium and third place. Ahead the two Porsches were flying on track and untouchable, victory went to the #44 997 GT3 R of Ebimotors ahead of the #77 from Antonelli Motorsport.

Race 2 is set for later today, fingers crossed for Audi Sport Italia and their drivers.

Photo credit: Italian GT

Italian GT: Dindo Capello and Audi Sport Italia qualified sixth at Misano

By Tarek Ramchani

Misano is hosting the first round of the 2013 Italian GT Championship this weekend. Audi Sport Italia is entering the series for the fifth straight year with a two-car team.

Dindo Capello, after retiring from the full factory Audi Le Mans squad, will take part in the full season in Italian GT, sharing the #4 R8 LMS ultra with Andrea Sonvico. The sister #5 Audi will be driven by Alex Frassineti and the 2012 Superstars Series champion, Johan Krostoffersson.

The qualifying session, which was held this afternoon, was very difficult for Audi Sport Italia. Andrea Sonvico only managed to finish in sixth place. It was worse for the other Audi driven by Johan Kristoffersson, the Swedish driver had contact very early in the session and was not able to finish a flying lap. The #5 Audi will have to start from the back of the pack.

Pole position went to the Porsche GT3 R of Ebimotors, in second another Porsche from Antonelli Motorsport, and third the Lamborghini Gallardo of Imperiale Racing. The qualifying results are here.

The two races are set for tomorrow. We hope that Audi Sport Italia drivers will be able to recover on track and fight for the race wins.

Photo credit: Italian GT

Italian GT: Audi Sport Italia back with Dindo Capello and two Audi R8 LMS ultra

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi Sport Italia will enter the 2013 Italian GT Championship with two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars, and a strong driver line-up. The team will aim for the 2013 title, after the dramatic finale at Monza last year.

Andrea Sonvico missed the title by only a single point, loosing the title to the BMW drivers. Sonvico is back with the team and will share the first Audi R8 LMS ultra with Dindo Capello. The Italian Audi legend will compete in the Italian GT as a full season competitor for first time in years, after focusing on the Le Mans effort with the factory Team Joest. The second car will be in the hands of Alex Frassineti, who also drove for the team last year, and the 2012 Superstars Series champion, Johan Kirstoffersson. The Swedish driver had a great 2012 by winning the Superstars Series, the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship and the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia. He is not stranger to Audi Sport Italia, the team who built his Audi RS 5 quattro, which entered by his father's team KMS.

The first round of the Italian GT Championship is set for next weekend at Misano. No doubts that Audi Sport Italia will be among the big favorites for the title hunt.

Photo credit: Audi Media

Three podium finishes for Audi Sport Italia was not enough at Mugello

Audi Sport Italia Press Release 

R8 LMS ultras three podium finishes are not enough at Mugello, on a day the Italian Gran Turismo points lead change hands

Fmr. leader Andrea Sonvico and Dindo Capello post 3rd and 4th as teammates Davide Di Benedetto-Alex Frassineti clinch runner-up and third spot at Tuscan venue

BMW Italia definitely can call Mugello their own, as the squad run by former touring car star Roberto Ravaglia sweeped the four Italian GT3 rounds that had Tuscany's rolling hills as their backdrop. On Sunday, in their second 2012 visit at the history-laden track, Thomas Biagi and Stefano Colombo claimed both wins, the latter snatching his second successive and fourth season victory from female team mate Michela Cerruti with just half-lap to go. The move allowed the winners to come back atop the points standings for the first time since early August, when Audi Sport Italia's Andrea Sonvico had pipped from the top spot the rivals. Teaming up with Audi mainstay Dindo Capello, Sonvico started from row 3 the morning race, occupying P5 throughout his stint behind Gianluca De Lorenzi's brand-new Mercedes SLS. After the mandatory pit-stop his team mate Capello managed to move up a couple of spots and in the final stages of the round he also had to rely on his ample bag of tricks to safeguard his P3 from the charging BMW of young gun Edoardo Liberati. The runner-up spot was claimed by #32 R8 LMS ultra driven by Davide Di Benedetto and Alex Frassineti. The former proudly put his mark on the most amazing start seen this season, rocketing from row 2 on the outside of Colombo and Matteo Malucelli's Porsche at San Donato bend. The Sicilian bravely resisted the pressure from the BMW driver until Lap 6, when he relinquished the lead to Colombo, who never looked back thereafter. Malucelli on contrary didn't give any sign of giving up, but Di Benedetto kept P2 safe until the pit stop, leaving to Alex Frassineti the opportunity to seal the pair fifth 2012 podium finish.

Race 2 had Audi's Saturday hero, Frassineti, sitting on pole. The Rome-based driver didn't make any mistake at the start of the afternoon 48-minute plus 1-lap race, but he was quickly passed for the lead by Biagi, who had started second in his Z4. Frassineti was then able to fend off Liberati's assault until Lap 6, when the BMW driver moved by making it a 1-2 for the Z4s. Frassineti then kept the fastest pace --that is, among drivers who were not sitting in a BMW, whilst Capello was stuck in P5 behind Stefano Comandini's Ferrari, whose better top speed allowed the Rome driver to keep the 3-time Le Mans winner at bay until the pit stop. The pit stop sent back on tracks a pair of BMWs leading a pair of Audis, with Di Benedetto comfortably edging Sonvico. The latter in the closing laps had to put in his best driving resources as Malucelli's Porsche came back menancingly but ultimately had to bow to the Audi.

Porsches were off pace at Mugello, leaving Audis alone to attempt to spoil BMW's party, but they are likely to come back with a vengeance at Monza season finale where, besides leading Biagi-Colombo and runner-up Sonvico, even Di Benedetto-Frassineti have could be a dark horse as candidate to grab the Gran Turismo crown, now held by Audi works driver Marco Bonanomi.

CAMPIONATO ITALIANO GRAN TURISMO 2012
Round 11 - Mugello, September 23:
1. T. Biagi - S. Colombo (BMW) 26 laps 49:57.052, avg speed 163,804 kph

2. D. DI BENEDETTO - A. FRASSINETI (AUDI R8 LMS ultra) +6.4564s

3. D. CAPELLO - A. SONVICO (AUDI R8 LMS ultra) + 15.405s
4. M. Cerruti - E. Liberati (BMW) + 16.070s

5. S. Comandini - V. Fornaroli (Ferrari) + 30.311s

CAMPIONATO ITALIANO GRAN TURISMO 2012
Round 12 - Mugello, September 23:
1. T. Biagi - S. Colombo (BMW) 26 laps 49:56.599 avg speed 163,829 kph

2. M. Cerruti - E. Liberati (BMW) + 0.717s

3. D. DI BENEDETTO - A. FRASSINETI (AUDI R8 LMS ultra) +24.878s

4. D. CAPELLO - A. SONVICO (AUDI R8 LMS ultra) + 26.213s

5. S. Comandini - V. Fornaroli (Ferrari) + 26.705s

2012 ITALIAN GRAN TURISMO

Drivers' points standings (after 12 rounds):

1. Biagi/Colombo 139 points;

3. SONVICO 132 pts.;

4. DI BENEDETTO/FRASSINETI 130 pts.;

6. Balzan e Barri 114 pts.;

8. Cerruti e Liberati 95 pts.;

10. CAPELLO 94 pts.;

Hard day for Audi Sport Italia drivers at Imola - Audi R8 LMS ultra

Audi Sport Italia Press Release 

It was a hard day for Audi Sport Italia drivers at Imola as the team tackled the fifth meeting of 2012 Italian Gran Turismo.

R8 LMS ultra drivers had to make do with lone podium finish in Race 2, but points standings leader Andrea Sonvico --and team mate Dindo Capello--manage to keep top spot ahead of Porsche duo Balzan-Barri

At Imola it definitely took a Porsche to end up on top of time charts: the rest of the Italian GT3 field --including Audi Sport Italia's drivers -- watched frustrated as Ebimotors and Antonelli Sport crews shared the available wins at the former F-1 venue. Starting from the front row Ebimotors' Alessandro Balzan/Giacomo Barri dominated Race 1 while Antonelli Sport's Paolo Ruberti/Cristian Passuti jogged throughout Sunday's Race 2.

Andrea Sonvico and Dindo Capello’s respective best qualifying times held them inside the second row in both races, alongside their sister Audi car, at least proving that the R8 LMS ultras may have been the best of the rest at Imola, performance-wise.

Sonvico, who alongside Audi stalwart Capello came to the famed circuit well poised to defend the series' leading spot claimed before the summer break, was indeed able to maintain his position. But this came the hard way: car #31 drivers toiled to P7 on Saturday and to a hard-fought P4 on Sunday, way off the pace of the 911s. Heavy time handicap penalties triggered by the outstanding RedBull Ring results hampered the effort put in by Capello and Sonvico: this took a toll as they faced off with the quickest BMWs and Ferraris. Therefore at Imola Audi Sport Italia's best finish was picked up by car #32 duo Davide Di Benedetto and Alex Frassineti, whose Sunday run ended up in P3, just a couple of seconds adrift of Mancini-Lancieri's Ferrari 458 Italia. The Sicilian Di Benedetto -- who did not have to cope with time penalties -- nearly caught up with Mancini at the checker, also setting his car fastest lap as time was running out. It was a good way to make up for a sad Saturday, as he had beached his R8 LMS ultra in a sand trap on the opening lap...
Sonvico uphill battle at Imola unexpecetedly got a lucky break when just after the mandatory pit-stop Barri's Porsche was victim of an aggressive move by Valentino Fornaroli's Ferrari, whose car tangled on the 911 rear left tyre forcing the Ebimotors driver to an unscheduled pit-stop to get a new tyre.

In spite of this puncture, the Porsche pair clinching 24 points has made up significant ground on Sonvico, who now leads by four points. But all 911 GT3R drivers at the next venue, Mugello, most likely will have to cope with a re-tooled domestic Balance of Performance, as Imola's verdict did not go unnoticed by the Italian Sporting Body's Bureau in charge of laying out a GT3 level field.

CAMPIONATO ITALIANO GRAN TURISMO
Round 9 - Imola, September 1:
1. A. Balzan - G. Barri (Porsche) 27 laps 50:01.317 avg speed 158.982 kph

2. P. Ruberti - C. Passuti (Porsche) + 8.308s
3. T. Biagi - S. Colombo (BMW) + 15.555s
4. S. Comandini - V. Fornaroli (Ferrari) + 15.708s
5. M. Cerruti - E. Liberati (BMW) + 30.651s
6. G. Lancieri - F. Mancini (Ferrari) + 36.564s
7. D. CAPELLO - A. SONVICO (AUDI R8 LMS ultra) + 38.099s
RTD. D. DI BENEDETTO - A. FRASSINETI 0 laps

Round 10 - Imola, September 2:
1. P. Ruberti - C. Passuti (Porsche) 28 laps 51:24.835 avg speed 160.406 kph

2. G. Lancieri - F. Mancini (Ferrari) + 25.456s
3. D. DI BENEDETTO - A. FRASSINETI (AUDI R8 LMS ultra) +26.549s

4. D. CAPELLO - A. SONVICO (AUDI R8 LMS ultra) + 40.842s
5. M. Cerruti - E. Liberati (BMW) + 41.432s

CAMPIONATO ITALIANO GRAN TURISMO 2012

Drivers' points standings (after 10 rounds):

1. SONVICO 112 total points

2. Balzan e Barri 108 pts.

4. DI BENEDETTO - FRASSINETI 103 pts.

6. Biagi - Colombo 99 pts.

8. Cerruti - Liberati 76 pts.

10. CAPELLO 74 pts.

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."

Grazie Dindo: Fourteen great years with Audi at Le Mans

By Tarek Ramchani

At Audi Sport, Dindo Capello is without any doubt an iconic character and a superstar. The Italian ace has been part of the full Audi legacy at Le Mans 24 Hours, the world famous endurance classic. 2012 was unfortunately his last appearance at La Sarthe with the Four Rings. In fourteen years at Le Mans, Dindo never lost his fighting spirit, his top speed and also his smile and very cool feeling. Capello won the race three times, two of them with Audi.

Audi A4 STW with Audi Sport Italia

Dindo Capello and Audi is a very long story that dates back to the supertouring era. A factory Audi driver since 1994. He raced the Audi 80 quattro first and later the all conquering Audi A4 quattro Super Touring. In 1996 Capello won the demanding Italian Superturismo with team Audi Sport Italia. After the touring car years the Italian along with Audi Sport switched to endurance and prototype racing.

In 1999 Audi Sport arrived at Le Mans. The German brand partnered with team Joest Racing entering two R8R spiders. Dindo Capello was part of the effort driving the #7 car with team mates Michele Alboreto and Laurent Aiello In the end they got a very strong fourth behind another Audi R8R.

Le Mans 2002

From 2000 to 2002 Dindo was always been part of the full factory effort with the Audi R8. In 2000 Dindo and his team mates Michele Alboreto and Christian Abt finished in third overall. By the end of the season he was second in the American Le Mans Series final standings. In 2001, Dindo took a stunning pole position with the #2 Audi R8, yet that wasn't enough. Dindo along with Christian Pescatori and Laurent Aiello finished second again. Second also that year in the ALMS. 2002 was the last year for the Audi R8 as a works team at Le Mans. Dindo was able to dominate the qualifying taking a second straight pole position. However the race turned in favor of his team mates Biella, Pirro and Kristensen. For the third straight year, Dindo finishing behind that trio. Second again in ALMS behind series champion Tom Kristensen. 

Le Mans 2004 victory

In 2003, there were three Audis. However Capello was racing for Bentley. The Italian driver won his first ever Le Mans 24 Hours in a Bentley Speed 8. A dominant race for the "Bentley Boys" with Capello among the very fastest on track. A year later again with Tom Kristensen in addition to Seiji Ara, Capello won the race with the customer Audi Sport Japan Team Goh. Dindo's first ever win with Audi after a titanic battle with the R8 of Audi Sport UK. In 2005 Dindo didn't race at Le Mans, being fully committed to DTM racing for Audi Sport Team Joest.

Le Mans 2008 victory

2006 saw the introduction of Audi's new R10 TDI, a car that gave Dindo Capello great race victories and championship titles. At Le Mans he raced the #7 diesel powered LMP1 and finished in third place. Months later along with Allan McNish he won the American Le Mans Series with Audi Sport North America (Champion Racing). A year later, he was dominating the race with team mates Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen. The #2 R10 was strongly leading before crashing at Indianapolis after a tire issue with Dindo was behind the wheel. The first time ever that Capello failed to finish with Audi at Le Mans. The end of the season was a lot better with a back to back championship title in ALMS. 2008 was the year of revenge at Le Mans. Capello along with his regular team mates McNish and Kristensen defeated a superior Peugeot team. Dindo's win ended the R10 TDI effort at La Sarthe as a works team.

Le Mans 2010

Moving to 2009, the new Audi R15 TDI was introduced. Capello won at Sebring earlier in the season with the new car. Later at Le Mans, the car was completely outpaced by the Peugeot 908s. A very disappointing third place in the end, far behind the two Peugeots ahead. In 2010 Audi scored a great 1-2-3 win, yet Capello wasn't in the right car, taking third overall with the updated Audi R15 plus. 2011 was even harder for the Italian. The new Audi R18 TDI was quick. However Dindo wasn't even able to take part in the race. In the very opening stages Allan McNish had a horrific crash ending the #3 R18 TDI’s race.

Le Mans 2012

2012 was the last Le Mans for Dindo Capello at Le Mans. Again he drove with Allan McNish and Tom Kristinsen. The three drivers finished second overall behind the winning Audi, a lap down. Capello again unlucky as his #2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro was clearly fighting for the race lead before Allan McNish’s excursion. Dindo just missed again the race win on his birthday, with his last race with Audi at Le Mans. Now Capello will be concentrating on his Italian GT season, helping Audi Sport Italia defending their 2011 title. He will share the #31 Audi R8 LMS ultra with Andrea Sonvico.

Dindo Capello alone resumed the full Audi legacy at Le Mans. Successes, glory and pain. Capello won Le Mans three times but was unlucky in many editions. Three outright wins at La Sarthe, that's already a very strong achievement, but without bad luck that could have been even greater for the Italian ace. Fourteen great editions and for that we could only say "Grazie Mille" Dindo for all these moments, big thanks for all these emotions. Audi fans will miss you during the next years. Just like the legends Hans Joahchim Stuck, Walter Rohrl, Frank Beila and Emanuele Pirro. Dindo Capello will stay forever in the hearts of all Audi’s loyal motorsport followers.