FIA WEC: Audi maintains its challenge for WEC title in Japan

Audi Press Release

• Audi in second place of the standings after five of eight races
• Di Grassi/Duval/Kristensen claim fifth at Fuji
• Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer in sixth also score points

Ingolstadt/Fuji, October 12, 2014 – Round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship marked the end of a superb string of results for Audi. Following two consecutive one-two victories and a total of five podium results since May, Audi Sport Team Joest had to settle for positions five and six at Fuji. As a result, the battle for the World Championship is intensifying as the lead of the standings has changed again three races before the end of the season. Audi, as the runner-up in the manufacturers’ classification, now trail Toyota by just 8 points, continues to maintain its challenge.

For the third time in succession, Audi is set on winning the WEC title. In pursuit of this aim, the squad from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm scored 18 points in Japan in difficult conditions and remains within striking distance of the top. On the 4.563-kilometer circuit south-west of Tokyo that with its combination of a long start-finish straight and a narrow last sector that primarily rewards race cars with extremely powerful hybrid systems, Lucas di Grassi/Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen (BR/F/DK) managed to improve from grid position six to fifth place. A well-balanced driving performance and a favorably timed third pit stop in a yellow period helped them to do so.

With car number 2 Audi Sport Team Joest had opted for different tactics. Following a brilliant beginning of the race, André Lotterer tried to use his first set of tires a second time beyond the first refueling stop. But the team stopped this attempt early as the lap times did not remain sufficiently consistent. Consequently, the German pitted again after just 17 instead of 35 laps which saved him an additional stop, however. The tires of the hybrid sports car kept picking up rubber from the track on lapping other participants, which caused the lap times to increase.

In spite of this, Audi scored 18 valuable points in the manufacturers’ classification on a track that did not suit the R18 e-tron quattro well. In three weeks from now, on November 2, the sixth race of the season will be on the calendar at Shanghai (China). On its largest single market, Audi achieved its sixth WEC victory of the season last year.

Quotes after the race

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “Congratulations to Toyota on victory in their home round. We managed a case of damage limitation in Japan because we continue to be in a promising position in the manufacturers’ world championship. It was foreseeable that we’d be having a difficult time at Fuji. Still, our two driver squads and the whole team were not unsettled by this and scored valuable points for us in Japan.”

Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): “Our squad showed a flawless performance – that applies to the team as well as to our drivers. We used different tactics with both cars in order to maintain our chances. In the end, this earned us 18 points that will still be very important in the battle for the title.”

Ralf Jüttner (Team Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “The positive thing about the race was that we made no mistakes. Strategically, we tried everything and all the pit stops were superb. But, unfortunately, the pit stops were the only aspect in which we were quicker than the competition. We didn’t manage to get the tires to work optimally. In the Championship, we relinquished the lead at this juncture. Now we’re planning to attack in the coming round at Shanghai and to recapture the lead.”

Lucas di Grassi (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “We didn’t achieve what we intended to do, although essentially, we didn’t drive a bad race. We gave everything from the beginning, had a good strategy and good pit stops too. Now we’ve noticed that there are still a few things left to improve. But, it’s a fact that there are some race tracks on which you’re less competitive than on others. We mustn’t be disheartened now but have to be better again in the next race.”

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “We tried everything today. Principally, there’s nothing we can fault ourselves for because we made no mistakes and had no technical issues whatsoever. We simply weren’t fast enough. But that’s how racing is at times. We’ve got to analyze this and improve before the next race.”

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “Congratulations to Toyota on their deserved victory. We traveled to Japan with great expectations. We were aiming to reward our numerous fans here with a nice result. But our love for Japan is equaled by the challenge for us to prevail at Fuji International Circuit.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “It was a difficult race for us because we weren’t able to keep the pace. On my first stint, it was very difficult to get into a reasonable rhythm. Somehow I didn’t find the balance. Fortunately, the car clearly felt better later in the race. But on the whole I’m not satisfied. We need to analyze the entire weekend, look ahead and strike back at Shanghai.”

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “It’s not a great result. Positions five and six are very unusual for us. We’ve got to face the fact that we didn’t have the potential this weekend. We did everything correctly in the race in every respect. We’re going to learn our lessons from this and try and improve. The Championship remains open.”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “It was a difficult race. Today, we weren’t fast enough for a place on the podium. We simply lost too much time to the competition in several places. But that’s racing. We’ve got to improve in order to be in contention at the front on a track configuration like this one as well. Now the preparation for the next race begins.”

Race results

1 Buemi/Davidson (Toyota), 236 laps in 6h 00m 39.367s
2 Nakajima/Sarrazin/Wurz (Toyota) + 25.627s
3 Bernhard/Hartley/Webber (Porsche) – 1 lap
4 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) – 2 laps
5 Di Grassi/Duval/Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) – 2 laps
6 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) – 3 laps
7 Canal/Pla/Rusinov (Ligier-Nissan) – 17 laps
8 Bradley/Howson/Imperatori (Oreca-Nissan) – 17 laps
9 Brundle/Ihara/Yacaman (Morgan-Judd) – 20 laps
10 Mediani/Minassian/Zlobin (Oreca-Nissan) – 21 laps

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

FIA WEC: Audi will start from third row in Japan

Audi Press Release

• Both Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars on third row of the grid
• André Lotterer fastest Audi driver
• Audi expects to have a good chance in the race

Ingolstadt/Fuji, October 11, 2014 – Audi achieved grid positions five and six in qualifying for round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Fuji (Japan). In the practice sessions, the team of Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich and Chris Reinke, Head of LMP, thoroughly prepared for the 6-hour race on Sunday. 

Audi knew that a challenging task had to be mastered in qualifying on the 4.563-kilometer track in the foothills of Mount Fuji. The 1.4-kilometer start-finish straight was not advantageous for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro in the battle for a single fast lap time. André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer on their four fastest laps achieved an average time of 1m 28.118s. As a result, the hybrid sports car of the Le Mans winners will be starting from fifth place. Their team-mates Loïc Duval and Tom Kristensen in the sister car were only 47 thousandths of a second slower on the average of their four best laps. Consequently, car number one will be tackling the race from position six. The fastest single lap of an Audi driver was achieved by André Lotterer setting a time of 1m 27.605s.

However, when the fifth race of the season starts on Sunday at 11 a.m. local time in Japan (4 a.m. CEST), lap times will definitely not be the only crucial aspect. In the last race at Austin (Texas), Audi Sport Team Joest proved that in the end an optimal combination of pace, strategy, reliable driving and good tire management prevails. The TV channel Eurosport will start airing a 60-minute summary of the race from 10.45 a.m. CEST. Fans can also keep up to date with the action on Facebook (AudiSport), Twitter (@Audi__Sport) and the news ticker (www.audi-motorsport.info) on the internet and on the Audi Sport App.

Quotes after qualifying

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “Grid positions five and six are certainly not what we’d been hoping for although it was to be expected that after qualifying we wouldn’t be at the very front. On the long straight, which has a major influence on lap time, it is possible to take particular advantage of high hybrid output. We have a slight disadvantage in this respect. But I’m confident that we’re going to fare better in the race.”

Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): “Our positions in qualifying tend to be more of a solid than a euphoric result. In spite of this, we see ourselves being well prepared for the race. We’ve still got some unfinished business here and are going to try and live up to this expectation.”

Ralf Jüttner (Team Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “It was a difficult qualifying session today. Yesterday, in free practice, we were looking good. In qualifying, we didn’t manage to up the ante. We’re banking on driving consistently and without any problems throughout the race. We’re optimistic of being further towards the front on Sunday.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “We knew beforehand that we’d be having more difficulty in qualifying here than on other tracks. The long straight is very crucial for a timed lap. But I’m confident that our performances will be better in the race. The past rounds have shown that with a well-balanced vehicle performance throughout a race, we can make up quite a bit of ground. That’s why I’m positive and looking forward to the race. It’ll last six hours, so a lot can happen during that time.”

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “We didn’t show the best performance today in qualifying although we did everything correctly. You could see that in spite of this we didn’t have the same speed as our competitors. That’s due to the track characteristics that do not allow us to make full use of our car’s potential. We’re at a disadvantage with the smaller hybrid class. But we’ve got a good race car. That’s going to help us for tomorrow.”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “It was a tough qualifying session. In free practice, we were still in front of the competition and, subsequently, in qualifying we switched positions. That was to be expected. On my stint, I didn’t manage to warm up the tires. André (Lotterer) drove a good qualifying session and delivered decent times which ultimately put us on grid positions five.”

Lucas di Grassi (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “It was a challenging qualifying session. We tried everything and have got to settle for this result. The race is very long and across the distance we can leverage our strengths in a better way. We previously showed that at Austin.”

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “More wasn’t possible for us today. The gap between us and our sister car is extremely narrow. Our rivals are very strong here. We were aware of this beforehand. Now we’re going to set up our car as best we can for the race and will thoroughly prepare our strategy. Our aim is to score a large number of points.”

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “Today it was obvious again that qualifying in the World Endurance Championship is a very tough thing to do. We need to improve in this respect so that we can be in contention for the pole position in the future. On the whole, our car worked well, especially yesterday in free practice. I’m confident that we’re going to give the appropriate answer in the race.”

Qualifying results

1 Buemi/Davidson (Toyota) 1m 26.886s
2 Bernhard/Hartley/Webber (Porsche) 1m 26.929s
3 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) 1m 27.306s
4 Nakajima/Sarrazin/Wurz (Toyota) 1m 27.437s
5 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 28.118s
6 Di Grassi/Duval/Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 28.165s
7 Beche/Heidfeld/Prost (Rebellion-Toyota) 1m 31.751s
8 Belicchi/Kraihamer/Leimer (Rebellion-Toyota) 1m 32.245s
9 Canal/Pla/Rusinov (Ligier-Nissan) 1m 33.062s
10 Brundle/Ihara/Yacaman (Morgan-Judd) 1m 33.569s

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

FIA WEC: Audi remains on top after free practice 2 at Fuji

By Johan Laubscher

Free practice two at Fuji Speedway concluded with a familiar look at the top of the time sheets. The Audi Sport Team Joest squad once again topped the time sheets with an Audi 1-2.

As was the case during free practice one, it was again the crew of the #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro, Tom Kristensen, Lucas di Grassi and Loïc Duval, who set the fastest time of 1:27.852. Their teammates, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer, in the #2 Audi, posted the second fast time of 1:28.403.

Third place was taken by the #14 Porsche 919 Hybrid, followed by the #8 and #7 Toyota TS 040 Hybrids and the #20 Porsche rounding out the top six.

Free practice two results can be seen HERE.

The two free practice sessions concluded Friday’s track running and free practice three and qualifying will be taking place on Saturday.

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

FIA WEC: Audi 1-2 in first free practice session at Fuji

By Johan Laubscher

Round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship has gotten underway at Fuji Speedway in Japan.

The first free practice session kicked off the weekend’s proceedings at 11:00 local time. Audi Sport Team Joest arrived in Japan as the leaders in the LMP1 manufactures’ standings and went on to dominate the first practice session.

The Audi squad secured the top two spots on the time sheets, with the #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro of Tom Kristensen, Lucas di Grassi and Loïc Duval setting the fastest time of 1:28.628. The #2 Audi squad of Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer set the second fastest time, 0.296 seconds behind their teammates.

Behind the Audis it was the #8 Toyota TS 040 Hybrid, followed by the #20 Porsche 919 Hybrid, #7 Toyota and #20 Porsche.

Free practice one results can be seen HERE.

The second free practice session will be taking place at 15:30 local time. Free practice three and qualifying will be taking place on Saturday. We wish the best of luck to Audi Sport Team Joest and their drivers.

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

FIA WEC: Audi competes in Japan as WEC leader of the standings

Audi Press Release

•     Challenging conditions in the foothills of Mount Fuji
•     Second half of the season begins in Japan
•     Fuji still missing on Audi’s motorsport success map

Ingolstadt, October 6, 2014 – Audi looks at a good interim tally. In the FIA World Endurance Championship that has been held since 2012, the brand has now clinched 13 victories in 20 races. The most recent success at Austin (USA) marked the turnaround in the battle for the title and Audi, for the first time this season, took the lead in the manufacturers’ classification. The team is aiming to further extend this advantage in WEC round five at Fuji (Japan) on October 12.
The hunter has become the hunted. At the season’s midpoint, Audi turned the tables and now, after four of eight rounds, has an 18-point advantage over Toyota. And now the new leader of the standings is facing a major task at the beginning of the second half of the season, as WEC round five is a tough one. The circuit some 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo features combinations of highly opposite requirements for the aerodynamics of the race cars. Very slow sectors alternate with extremely fast ones on this circuit and the 1.4-kilometer section near the start and finish numbers among the longest straights in international motorsport. This is where engine power is the dominant factor.

Fuji remains an exceptional venue for Audi. Around the world, the brand with the four rings has been victorious at least once on eight of the nine tracks where WEC events have been held since 2012. The circuit near Mount Fuji has been the only blank spot on the WEC calendar to date. In the 2013 round in Japan, Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) were on the pole position. However, heavy rain, which is not uncommon in this mountain region, prevented a regular race. After 16 laps behind the safety car, the race director stopped the event and the entrants received only half the number of points. Disappointment was not only great among the teams and drivers but with the crowd as well. The Japanese fans are very fond of sports car racing, fill the grandstands at Fuji year after year, and impress the drivers with great expert knowledge, numerous self-made fan posters, and a big rush for autographs.

This year now, Audi is set on complementing its success tally with a victory at Fuji. Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer have most recently scored WEC wins twice in succession – in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the turbulent round at Austin. Audi clinched the advantage in the manufacturers’ standings with clever tactical decisions and impeccable driving in Texas. At the same time, the brand’s best driver trio has narrowed the gap to the leading Toyota drivers to eleven points.

But the Lucas di Grassi/Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen (BR/F/DK) driver squad should not be underrated either. The number one Audi R18 e-tron quattro took second place three consecutive times in the past races. In the Far East, the trio is aiming to battle for the top spot just like their brand colleagues in car number two. Di Grassi and Kristensen are trailing their team-mates in the standings by only 13 points.

The fans in Germany can watch a summary report of the WEC race at Fuji on the TV channel Eurosport starting at 10.30 on race Sunday. On the internet, Audi will be providing reports about all practice and qualifying sessions and the race on Facebook (AudiSport), Twitter (@Audi__Sport), a news ticker on www.audi-motorsport.info, and on the Audi Sport App.

Topics of the weekend

-Will Audi this year manage to take victory at Fuji for the first time?
-Will Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer be able to come closer to the leaders of the standings in Japan?
-Will Audi further extend its advantage in the manufacturers’ classification?
-Will the crowd be giving the same warm support to the German brand and its drivers as in the past two years?

Quotes by the officials

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “An interesting constellation has emerged in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the season’s midpoint. Following a tactically clever race at Austin, we took the lead in the manufacturers’ classification and are now closer to our competitors in the drivers’ classification. At the most recent event in Texas, the fans again saw a very thrilling battle by the three brands Audi, Porsche and Toyota, like previously at Le Mans. We know how challenging the race will be at Fuji but are set on making up more ground in the World Championship. And we’d really love to finally win in Japan too.”

Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): “In Japan, we’ve still got something to make up for. Last year, there was a formal race result but factually no race because the drivers were only able to follow the safety car. This year, we’d like to experience a nice race without interruptions and are going to do everything within our means to repeat our performances at Le Mans and Austin in Japan. We’re hoping to be in contention for victory even though the track isn’t exactly ideal for our car.”

Ralf Jüttner (Team Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “We’re very much looking forward to Fuji. The Japanese fans have a tremendous capacity for enthusiasm and love endurance racing in the WEC. The track at Fuji is very special. A year ago, we were on pole there but the race literally became a washout. It’ll be exciting to compete against Toyota in their home race and to challenge them. We’re going to leave no stone unturned to win at Fuji for the first time.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Lucas di Grassi (30/BR), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Is experiencing his debut at Fuji this year
-Was the runner-up at Spa, Le Mans and Austin
“I’ll be driving at Fuji for the first time and am preparing for my debut in the simulator. I’m trying to build a wealth of experience this way without ever having been on this track before. That’s important because all of us can only do relatively few laps before the race, as there are three of us sharing a car in endurance racing. All of my team-mates have been there before, so I’m beginning with a small deficit. But I’m sure that with proper preparation I’ll be able to quickly achieve good lap times and hope that we’re going to score as many points as possible in the championship battle.”

Loïc Duval (32/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Together with his team-mates completed a one-two victory for Audi at Austin
-Has regularly been racing in Japan since 2006
“Some of us Audi drivers have a special relationship with Japan due to our careers – and I’m one of them. This year, we’re aiming to deliver a particularly good performance at Fuji after last year’s race was held only behind the safety car. Fuji is a unique track in a beautiful region in the foothills of Mount Fuji. We’re set on showing an equally beautiful result to our many fans. It would be great to win there.”

Tom Kristensen (47/DK), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Spent his career in Japan from 1992 to 1995
-Is in third place of the standings together with his team-mate Lucas di Grassi
“I’m happy to be returning to a country that I owe a lot to. At the beginning of my career, I lived near Fuji and often raced on this track. This country played a decisive part in opening up the opportunity of a professional racing career for me. I’ve still got many friends there from the old days. Traveling to Japan with the world’s best automobile manufacturer today is a great feeling. I’ve competed at Fuji in the WEC twice before. The first track sector is very fast, the second one is still relatively fast, and the third one is narrow and slow.”

Marcel Fässler (38/CH), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Won the last WEC race at Austin with André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer
“Two years ago, I drove in Japan for the first time and have very positive memories of my two WEC runs at Fuji. Japan is a beautiful country with fantastic fans that enthusiastically support us. As this is a kind of home round for my two team-mates, we’re aiming to battle for victory with particularly great determination. Driving in the mountains with Mount Fuji in the background is an unusual feeling. It almost reminds me a bit of the Swiss mountains. The track has a unique character with its many different types of corners.”

André Lotterer (32/D), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Won the Le Mans 24 Hours with his team-mates in June
-Was on the pole position in Japan last year
“The race is a very special one for me because I’ve been living in Japan for more than ten years and am active in racing there as well. I’m highly motivated to battle for Audi’s first victory in Japan in front of many fans. Benoît Tréluyer knows the track very well. I’ve frequently driven there before too and by now Marcel Fässler feels comfortable in Japan as well. The track is very demanding and the set-up isn’t easy to achieve. On the long straight, our car mustn’t lose too much speed due to downforce but we’ve still got to be fast in the turns.”

Benoît Tréluyer (37/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Has spent twelve years of his career in Japan
-Is the runner-up in the standings together with his team-mates
“Fuji is the race track on which I’ve won most of the races in my life. I really like the circuit and would now also like to win there with Audi. A year ago, we were on pole but unfortunately there was no real race. Our Japanese fans are important to me and we’d like to show them a great performance this year. The battle with Toyota and Porsche is promising.”

The Audi drivers at Fuji

Lucas di Grassi (BR): * Aug 11, 1984 in São Paulo (BR), residence: Monaco (MC); married to Anna; height: 1.79 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 0; WEC races: 7; WEC victories: 0; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Fuji: –

Loïc Duval (F): * Jun 12, 1982 in Chartres (F); residence: Geneva (CH); married to Gaëlle, two sons (Hugo and Martin); height: 1.78 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 1; WEC races: 14; WEC victories: 4; WEC pole positions: 2; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Fuji: 2

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: 3; WEC races: 20; WEC victories: 8; WEC pole positions: 2; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Fuji: 2

Tom Kristensen (DK): * Jul 07, 1967 in Hobro (DK); residence: Hobro (DK); single (partner: Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald) and one daughter (Carla Marlou); height: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2000, Le Mans victories: 9; WEC races: 20; WEC victories: 4; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 2; best result WEC Fuji: 2

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: 3; WEC races: 20; WEC victories: 8; WEC pole positions: 4; fastest WEC laps: 6; best result WEC Fuji: 2

Benoît Tréluyer (F): * Dec 07, 1976 in Alençon (F); residence: Gordes (F); married to Melanie, one son (Jules); height: 1.78 m; weight: 68 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 3; WEC races: 20; WEC victories: 8; WEC pole positions: 3; fastest WEC laps: 2; best result WEC Fuji: 2

 

All Fuji winners (since 1999)

1999 Comas/Motoyama/Kageyama (Nissan)
2007 Noda/Yamazaki (Zytek)
2012 Lapierre/Nakajima/Wurz (Toyota)
2013 Lapierre/Nakajima/Wurz (Toyota)

Track info

Track length: 4.563 km
Race duration: 6 hours
Qualifying record on this track: André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (Audi), 1m 26.577s (189.736 km/h), Oct 19, 2013
Race record on this track: Kazuki Nakajima (Toyota), 1m 28.088s (186.482 km/h), Oct 14, 2012
Pole position 2013: André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (Audi), 1m 26.577s (189.736 km/h), Oct 19, 2013
Fastest lap 2013: André Lotterer (Audi), 2m 04.095s (132.373 km/h), Oct 20, 2013

FIA WEC World Championship titles
2012 Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (Audi)
2013 Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (Audi)

André Lotterer about the track at Fuji

“Fuji is a track I’m intimately familiar with from the many years of my career in Japan. It has many extremes. The start-finish straight is one of the longest ones on the calendar. Good top speed, in other words low aerodynamic downforce, is crucial there. A narrow right-hand turn follows. The middle section of the circuit then poses a challenge. There is a 180-degree Omega-shaped turn called 100 R. However, due to the large radius we reach a speed of more than 200 km/h at the apex. Good downforce is important there. You should accelerate early out of the subsequent left-hand hairpin in order to gain time. It is followed by a straight containing two slight right-hand turns. When the tarmac is dry we run flat-out there. The last section of the track is very narrow. Here, maximum downforce is crucial. We drive mainly in second and third gear. Due to the track’s encircled location in the mountains at an elevation of 600 meters the weather can be unpredictable.”

Schedule (local times; CEST = –7 hours)

Friday, October 10
11.00–12.30 Free practice 1
15.30–17.00 Free practice 2

Saturday, October 11
09.30–10.30 Free practice 3
13.55–14.20 Qualifying LMP1 and LMP2

Sunday, October 12
11.00–17.00 6-hour race

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

VIDEO: Highlights of FIA WEC round 4, the 6 Hours of COTA

A complete video highlights of the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas, round 4 of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship. The race ended with a fine 1-2 victory for Audi Sport Team Joest.

Photo credit: Audi Media

PHOTOS: Audi R18 e-tron quattro at Paris Auto Show

A selection of great photos featuring the Audi R18 e-tron quattro at Paris Auto Show taken by our friends at Fourtitude.

You can see Fourtitude photo coverage from Paris Auto Show right here.

Photo credit: Fourtitude

FIA WEC: Rising star Harry Tincknell drives Le Mans winning Audi

Harry Tincknell Press Release

Harry Tincknell was handed a dream job recently when the rising motor racing ace from Devon was invited to drive this year’s Le Mans 24 Hour winning Audi.

The Sidmouth-based driver who celebrates his 23rd next month (29 Oct), got behind the wheel of a hybrid-diesel Audi R18 e-tron quattro at the Misano race track in Italy.

Motorsport, a respected monthly publication that has been in existence since 1925, arranged for Exeter-born Tincknell to driver the 200mph Audi on the back of Tincknell himself winning the LMP2 class with JOTA Sport at Le Mans in June.

The Audi competes in the top LMP1 category with the German manufacturer winning the annual Le Mans race 13 times since its debut in 1999.

Tincknell, who visited the Circuit Of The Americas in Austin Texas last week with his mentor, three-time Le Mans winner Allan McNish, is in contention for the European Le Mans Series title.

Tincknell along with co-drivers Simon Dolan and Harry Tincknell compete in the fifth and final round of the European Le Mans Series in Portugal next month (19 Oct) .

Harry Tincknell (GB). Age: 22. Born: Exeter, Devon. Lives: Sidmouth, Devon (GB):

“Driving the Audi was a dream come true and it is days like I had at Misano which I have been working for my whole career to experience. The first experience of the putting my foot down was incredible. The power was like nothing that I had ever experienced before. The car felt like a spaceship for the first two laps, huge levels of downforce and ultra efficient braking.

“Driving a diesel race car for the first time, the immediate thing you notice is how quiet it is. In the braking zones you hear the hybrid working hard to regenerate the energy to use on the next straight.

“Of course it was an amazing experience to drive a car so well engineered. I’m currently racing in the LMP2 class which is only one step down from these cars. It’s a big step up in terms of speed but in some areas, the LMP2 car is very close, in the slow speed corners for example, so I think I am in the perfect place to learn and hopefully one day step up into that pinnacle class of sportscar racing.”

VIDEO: We Are Racers - 90 seconds in the mind of a racer

A brilliant video by Michelin about the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours including Audi's 13th overall victory at La Sarthe.

Photo credit: Audi Media

FIA WEC: Audi celebrates second WEC season victory at Austin

Audi Press Release

•          Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer won turbulent race in Texas
•          Audi took lead of the standings with second victory of the season
•          Audi R18 e-tron quattro celebrates one-two victory

Ingolstadt/Austin, September 20, 2014 – Audi has celebrated the second consecutive one-two win in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Following their victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) in the fourth race of the season at Austin prevailed again. A sudden downpour of rain, red flags after a series of spins and a tactically challenging course of the race on a drying track converted the night race in Texas into a real thriller. Lucas di Grassi/Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen (BR/F/DK) completed Audi’s success by taking second place.

The 20th race in the young history of the WEC was a classic that remained open up to the very end. After six hours of racing, the victorious Audi driver trio prevailed with a very narrow margin of 53 seconds against their team-mates. The round at the Circuit of the Americas treated the spectators to supreme suspense up to the checkered flag. The race had a regular beginning in bright sunshine and temperatures of more than 30 degrees centigrade. Audi put down an early tactical marker, opted not to change tires at the first pit stop, and advanced position by position. One and a half hours into the race drizzling rain set in that soon changed into a downpour. Audi made a timely switch from slicks to wets on both R18 e-tron quattro cars. While Benoît Tréluyer took the lead and Tom Kristensen third place, numerous competitors slipped into the gravel and came to a halt in dangerous places. Therefore, race control decided to red flag the race. 

About 50 minutes later, the teams resumed the race behind the safety car. Both Audi diesel hybrid sports cars kept their rain tires when the race was restarted on a wet track. Fifteen minutes later, Audi Sport Team Joest decided to switch car number 2 to intermediates. On the tires designed for mixed conditions, Benoît Tréluyer defended the lead before changing to slicks an hour later. In the case of the sister car, the team opted for a different strategy. To save the switch to intermediates, the squad wanted to use the rain tires until conditions became dry enough for slicks. This tactical option resulted in one less pit stop. However, Tom Kristensen also had to first change to intermediate tires before being able to switch to slicks at the next pit stop. Following a recovery by Lucas di Grassi at the end of the race, car number 1 finished as the runner-up. 

Audi decided the WEC race in North America in its favor last year as well. For Audi, this marked the 13th victory in 20 WEC races since the beginning of the World Championship in 2012. On achieving this most recent success the squad of Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich and Chris Reinke, Head of LMP, after four of eight races, took the lead in the WEC manufacturers’ standings for the first time. Round five on the WEC calendar will be held on the track at Fuji in Japan in three weeks from now. 

Quotes after the race

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “It was a very difficult race. The heavy downpour that washed some of the cars off track and our decision at the right moment to be the first to switch to rain tires all played a crucial part in our one-two victory. But so did our good pace. Everything perfectly fit: we had a good car, the drivers performed superbly and there were fast pit stops. We can enjoy this success. It’s great that things are continuing so positively after Le Mans.”

Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): “Following our victory at Le Mans, it was our aim to leave Austin as the leaders of the World Championship. We managed to do that. We delivered a commanding performance. We were briefly unfortunate in qualifying but regained our strength in the race. We acted sensibly in changing conditions because there were many obstacles to overcome. We clinched a well-deserved victory.” 

Ralf Jüttner (Team Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “It was a very turbulent race. When we used the tires for two stints we started to advance. In the rain, we made exactly the right decision this time. ‘Thank you’ to the spotter, who announced all the dangers to the drivers via radio transmission. After the interruption by the red flags we moved forward with an all-out attack. It was difficult because our rivals were very fast too. We were able to manage our tires well and had sensational drivers. The one-two victory is brilliant and we’re heading the manufacturers’ world championship. We wouldn’t mind things continuing like this.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “We’re very happy because the victory was perfect – unlike our qualifying session. The race was a bit wild in the beginning, with the rain shower in the early phase. But the Audi team did the best job of maintaining an overview of the situation and took the right actions. My team-mates drove brilliantly. Towards the end of the race, I still achieved an advantage knowing that I had to make a final splash-and-dash refueling stop. It’s great that we managed to clinch a one-two victory.”

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “A superb result for the team. You can’t wish for anything better than first and second place. The team performance today was superb. This also applies to our partner Michelin. The technical crew was confident that we’d only have to change the tires at every other stop. We didn’t make any mistakes in the rain either. This was an important step in the Championship.”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “It was a fantastic race. A lot happened. The number 8 Toyota was very fast in the beginning, but initially they always are. Then we had a good pace and were close to them. After the rain interruption we started at the front. That made it possible for me to control the pace and the advantage. I didn’t take too many risks and am happy with my stint. André (Lotterer) and Marcel (Fässler) drove superbly too. As at Le Mans, we didn’t touch any rivals. This is one of the key factors this year for mounting the very top of the podium.”

Lucas di Grassi (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “This was a repetition of Le Mans – first and second place. I’m very happy about this result after the difficult qualifying. We had a wrong tire choice in the rain about halfway through the race, so our strategy no longer fit and we needed an additional stop. The car was very good. I was able to overtake two cars on my stint. I’m happy about the podium. Two podium results within two weeks aren’t too bad, are they?”

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “A fantastic result for Audi, because now we’re heading the manufacturers’ standings. The race result, with first and second place, couldn’t have been any better either. Our car number 1 was in contention for victory this weekend as well but there were too many incidents with the rain and the red flags. We were also lacking a bit of fortune and our tire strategy didn’t pan out completely. But I’m happy about Audi’s one-two victory.” 

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “What a race. The conditions were tough from the beginning to the end. A lot here depended on the strategy and tire choice. A one-two result following the difficult day in qualifying is fantastic. I’m already looking forward to the next race in Japan.” 

Race results

1 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro), 157 laps in 6h 01m52.122s
2 Di Grassi/Duval/Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) + 53.016s
3 Buemi/Davidson/Lapierre (Toyota) + 1m 03.945s 
4 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) – 1 lap
5 Bernhard/Hartley/Webber (Porsche) – 2 laps
6 Conway/Sarrazin/Wurz (Toyota) – 2 laps 
7 Beche/Heidfeld/Prost (Rebellion-Toyota) – 8 laps
8 Bradley/Howson/Matsuda (Oreca-Nissan) – 12 laps
9 Mediani/Minassian/Zlobin (Oreca-Nissan) – 12 laps
10 Brown/Dalziel/Sharp (HPD-Honda) – 16 laps

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

VIDEO: Audi Sport Team Joest qualifying at COTA

Photo credit: Audi Media

FIA WEC: Disappointment for Audi in qualifying at Austin

Audi Press Release

• Second and third row on the grid for the Audi drivers
• Problems with lap trigger signal prevent regular qualifying
• Optimism for the race after good work in free practice sessions

Ingolstadt/Austin, September 19, 2014 – Audi started qualifying for round four of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Austin full of optimism. Following two best times set in the free practice sessions, the squad of Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich and Chris Reinke, Head of LMP, saw itself well prepared for the final qualifying session as well. However, the failure of a lap trigger signal frustrated any hope of taking a position on the front row of the grid.

Le Mans winner Marcel Fässler in the number 2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro and Loïc Duval in the number 1 sister car already noticed irregularities on the first timed laps of the qualifying session. The complex control systems for fuel consumption and the hybrid system were apparently receiving wrong signals that made optimal lap times impossible. As the reasons for the faulty lap trigger signal could not be found and corrected in the mere 25-minute qualifying session, Audi had to settle for grid positions four for Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) and six for Lucas di Grassi/Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen (BR/F/DK).

But the free practice sessions give Audi reason for hope. As soon as the defect has been corrected the hybrid sports cars should be able to battle for top positions. In the first free practice at Austin, Marcel Fässler achieved the best time ahead of his team-mate Lucas di Grassi. In the third free practice, Loïc Duval was in front of Marcel Fässler. In dry weather in the first and third practice sessions and heavy rain in the second one, Audi thoroughly prepared for the highly changeable conditions prevailing in the south of Texas this weekend. High humidity, temperatures of more than 30 degrees centigrade, rain showers and the chance of thunderstorms are making forecasts difficult. However, in a 6-hour endurance race top results are possible even from the current grid positions.

The starting signal in Texas will be given on Saturday at 17:00 local time (00.00 CEST). Eurosport in Germany will air full-length coverage of the race.

Quotes after qualifying

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “We were not unfortunate but both of our cars failed to function the way they should have. There was a problem with the lap trigger signal. Given the complexity of the systems, a correct run of the lap is extremely important but that didn’t work in qualifying with either car.”

Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): “This is a sobering result for us because we didn’t have the chance to use our full potential. We’re going to correct the issue on both cars before the race. Then we’ll be able to attack with full strength.”

Ralf Jüttner (Team Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “We had problems with the lap trigger signal. The systems are very complex with these cars. For the drivers, it must have felt as if they were driving a totally different car than in the previous practice sessions. The race will be on Saturday, that’s when everything counts. By that time, we’re going to provide our drivers with flawless cars again.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “For me, qualifying was difficult because we had problems with the lap trigger signal. That distracted me a bit while I was driving. We were clearly beaten below our potential. We tried to make the best of the situation. That’s why I got into the car a second time in order to improve our average lap time. Of course it would have been great to start the race from the front row but from the second row a lot is still possible too. The race will be very interesting.”

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “It was a difficult qualifying session which, unfortunately, didn’t go smoothly due to problems with the lap trigger signal. That’s why we weren’t able to use our maximum potential. But the race is long and we’ve got a good car. I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “We had a problem with the lap trigger signal. That impaired us quite a bit because the car depends on it. We’re going to resolve the issue by tomorrow. It’s better to have such a problem in qualifying than in the race – because, obviously, it’s the race that counts.”

Lucas di Grassi (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “We didn’t have a good qualifying session because we had problems with the lap trigger signal. That’s really very disappointing because we still set the best time in the third free practice and were fast in the other sessions as well. I’m sure that we’re going to correct the problems by tomorrow and have a clean race then. Then I’m sure we’ll be further towards the front again too.”

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “We’d been looking forward to qualifying because our times in practice had been good. Unfortunately, we had problems with the lap trigger signal, which greatly impaired our qualifying. But I’m sure that we’re going to resolve everything by tomorrow. Even though we’re starting from position six, anything’s still possible with our competitive car. We’re determined to move forward.”

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “It’s great to finally be sitting in the car again after Le Mans – especially on such a nice and modern track as the Circuit of the Americas. The car was running perfectly in the practice sessions and the team did a great JOB – be it in the sessions on the muggy afternoon or during the thunderstorm in the night practice. That gives us hope for a great race that we’re looking forward to even though the qualifying session was less than perfect.”

Qualifying results

1 Buemi/Davidson/Lapierre (Toyota) 1m 49.093s
2 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) 1m 50.283s
3 Bernhard/Hartley/Webber (Porsche) 1m 50.302s
4 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 50.340s
5 Conway/Sarrazin/Wurz (Toyota) 1m 50.363s
6 Di Grassi/Duval/Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 51.456s
7 Belicchi/Kraihamer/Leimer (Rebellion-Toyota) 1m 54.665s
8 Canal/Pla/Rusinov (Morgan-Nissan) 1m 56.075s
9 Bradley/Howson/Matsuda (Oreca-Nissan) 1m 56.371s
10 Brown/Dalziel/Sharp (HPD-Honda) 1m 57.262s

Photo credit: Audi Media