Q&A: Interview with Rahel Frey - Audi GT factory driver

Rahel Frey is racing with Audi since 2011. First in the German DTM touring car series for two years and since 2013 the Swiss driver switched to GT racing with competing in various events around the world from German ADAC GT Masters to the Asian based Audi R8 LMS Cup.

Our friend Jean-Baptiste Lassaux at IG Autorennsport had a a very interesting interview with Rahel Frey at the Nürburgring about her 2014 season.

1/ First, a look back to the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Tell us more about your race with the Audi race experience in the Green Hell?

My summary of the 2014 24h race at the Nürburgring is really positive. Our priority was to finish the race, what we did on P22. Furthermore all four drivers on the car (including myself) could improve our personal laptimes compared to last year or compared to former races which was for my the most important. Incidents can always happen in a 24h race and they did unfortunately for us! But our team and especially our mecanics mad a fantastic job to fix this incidents in no time - therefore big thanks once again!

2/ Now, your next race is in Fuji in the Audi R8 LMS Cup. This will be your first time there, so  how do you learn the track before the race weekend?

As usual when I dont know a racetrack, I will watch onboard videos and studying important datas I got from the team. I will be prepared for it.

3/ What are your targets this year in the Audi R8 LMS Cup?

My target is to win the Audi R8 LMS Cup 2014. Right now I'm 10 point behind the leader - a cap which I can still close when I'm clever on driving and on strategy.

Taking care about the tyres is an important point for but as well being clever on using the new "push-to-pass" system which gets us 50hp more when we press the special button for it. Furthermore it's performance balance we get for the first three places (60kg for P1, 40kg for P2 and 20kg for P3) can take influence on the results.

4/ Let's talk about your season in ADAC GT Masters. What do you think about your season so far in the German series?

We had a good start into the new season with immediately scoring points in both races at Oschersleben. Afterwards we made some mistakes where we had to pay for not being in the position for fighting for point anymore. But we learn from every mistakes we do and for sure we will get back stronger again.

5 / What are you expecting in the second half of the season?

As I just mentioned, we will get back stronger and aiming again for more points. Therefore each race track is a new challenge. For sure sometimes one race track fits better for the driver another race track fits best for the car. But in my opinion the BOP 2014 is more equal as last year!

6 / After your two years in the DTM, you switched to GT racing with Audi. Tell us more about what you have learnt traveling and discovring many prestigious tracks and events around the world?

Always when traveling the world you have to find your way through! I got already a lot of experience with traveling around the world for racing and I wont miss any. Some were tough, some were really nice but they all formed my personality like I am today. And for sure each race driver has a list with races or race tracks he likes to drive in or on. I have my list too, some of these tracks were on - some are still on.

7 / Any racing track or series you want to compete in?

Taking every challenge I get! But I would like to drive once in America maybe in the oval with a Nascar.

Photo credit: Autorennsport

Great 2013 season for Rahel Frey with Audi

By Tarek Ramchani

Rahel Frey the Audi factory driver switched this year from DTM to GT racing with Audi Sport customer racing. The Swiss driver had a very busy and successful 2013 season across the globe with Audi R8 LMS and ultra cars taking part in different series and events.

Rahel Frey debuted this year in the demanding Blancpain Endurance Series. She joined the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and drove the #2 Audi R8 LMS ultra within the upper Pro-Cup class with teammates Matt Halliday and Niki Mayr-Melnhof. Rahel Frey performed very well in what is clearly seen as the best GT3 field in the world. In all her stints Frey battled very well on track despite a penalizing Balance of Performance hitting the R8 LMS ultra.

The former DTM driver debuted in the demanding ADAC GT Masters. She joined the leading Audi team in the series, Prosperia C.Abt Racing sharing an Audi R8 LMS ultra with Christopher Haase. After some unlucky first races, she improved a lot and was able to challenge some of the best GT racers in Germany and Europe. Frey performances helped Prosperia C.Abt Racing clinching the ADAC GT Masters teams' title.

Rahel Frey took part also in selected events in the Asian based Audi R8 LMS Cup. She was among the fastest in the all R16 field. Highlight of the season, an impressive race win in Shanghai with her Castrol backed Audi R8 LMS.

The demanding Nürburgring Nordscheleife was a discovery for Rahel Frey. She debuted in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with team Audi race experience showing great pace. Rahel Frey took part later in the most prestigious event in the VLN Endurance Championship, the 6-hour race with again some good performances.

Rahel Frey ended off her 2013 season during December by taking part in the TSF Asia All Star Challenge in Taiwan. She shared a J-Fly Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra with Jeffrey Lee and the duo enjoyed podium results at the Penbay International Circuit.

Overall it was a very successful 2013 season for Rahel Frey with Audi. Audi Sport announced that she will return next year as an instructor with Audi race experience in VLN Endurance Championship and the Nürburgring 24 Hours. We hope to see her again in other races and series.

Photo credit:
Rahel Frey
J-Fly Racing

Audi R8 LMS Cup: Video highlights of Shanghai round - Rahel Frey victorious

By Tarek Ramchani

The Asian based Audi R8 LMS Cup headed to Shanghai last weekend. Round 9 and round 10 of the season with two thrilling races in the only all-R16 field worldwide.Race 1 win went to ex F1 driver and series points leader Alex Yoong. Race 2 saw a maiden victory for Audi Sport works driver Rahel Frey.

Watch the highlights of the races with two videos embedded below:

Round 9

Round 10

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

ADAC GT Masters: Horrific crash for Rahel Frey with an R8 LMS ultra at Hockenheim

By Tarek Ramchani

Rahel Frey had a horrific crash today at Hockenheim. The Swiss Audi works driver was behind the wheels of the #26 Audi R8 LMS ultra in ADAC GT Masters. Fortunately Rahel Frey is fine and OK, but that was a very scary moment after rolling her R8 LMS ultra.

ADAC GT Masters: Rahel Frey and Markus Winkelhock join Prosperia C.Abt Racing in an Audi R8 LMS ultra

By Tarek Ramchani

Prosperia C.Abt Racing will enter a third additional Audi R8 LMS ultra for the 2013 ADAC GT Masters. The car will be shared by Audi regulars Rahel Frey and Markus Winkelhock.

Rahel Frey will debut in the top German GT series and in the team as well. The Swiss factory Audi driver is having a very busy 2013 season with the Audi R8 LMS ultra. In addition to the ADAC GT Masters she is racing in the Blancpain Endurance Series for Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and in the Asian based Audi R8 LMS Cup.

During 2011 Markus Winkelhock competed at selected events in the ADAC GT Masters, with the Swiss Novidem team. He and Rahel Frey will both be debuting with Prosperia C.Abt Racing. He is also taking part in the Blancpain Endurance Series for team Phoenix Racing. Markus Winkelhock is of course the reigning FIA GT1 World Championship champion and the 2012 overall winner of the Nürburgring 24 Hours with Audi.

Both drivers are joining a world class effort at Prosperia C.Abt Racing, the other two cars are in the hands of René Rast/Christopher Mies and Chrisitan Mamerow/Christer Jöns. The ADAC GT Masters season opener is set at Oschersleben next weekend. No doubts that Prosperia C.Abt Racing will be among the big favourites.

Photo credit and more information:
Prosperia C.Abt Racing

Blancpain Endurance Series: A word from ... Rahel Frey

Audi Press Release

In two weeks from now, at Monza, you will be running for the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT in the Blancpain Endurance Series (BES) for the first time. Are you looking forward to this new challenge in the Audi R8 LMS ultra? 

Yes, absolutely. The winter break was long and I used it to optimally prepare for my new tasks. Two weeks ago, I was at Le Castellet for the official BES tests and really enjoyed my first laps in the Audi R8 LMS ultra. Now I can hardly wait for the season to start.

As a former DTM racer, how did you manage the switch to a GT3 sports car?

I managed well right away. The weight of the Audi R8 LMS ultra is a bit heavier and it has systems such as ABS and traction control. I’ve also got to make more compromises with respect to the set-up because I’m sharing the car with two other drivers. But I’ll soon feel at home in the GT world.

Your team is starting into the BES season as the title defender. To what extent are you benefiting from the squad’s experience?

WRT’s extensive experience will no doubt make it easier for me to get started in the Blancpain Endurance Series. I’m very thankful for being backed by such a good team. By the same token, I’d be happy if I could pass on some of my experiences to WRT. From a sporting perspective, the level in the DTM that I come from was obviously top-class and I got to know the processes in a factory-backed team. I want to continue to build on that.

You are sharing the cockpit with the Austrian Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof and the New Zealander Matthew Halliday. Are you happy with this driver pairing?

It’s nice to come into contact with other nations as well. We get along well and all of us are motivated and ambitious. The whole WRT squad is very open-minded. If you’ve got a wish as a driver or want to change something on the car they listen to you. There’s a lot of discussion taking place and that allows the entire team to move forward. On the whole, we’re three well-balanced and competitive Audi driver teams at WRT. It’ll be a thrilling battle.

In 2013, the BES is running on five European race tracks. Which one do you like best?

My fondest memories are those of the track at Monza. Being Swiss, this is my home track in a way and I was able to win a Swiss Formula Renault race there in the past. And of course I’m very much looking forward to the 24-hour race at Spa. That’ll no doubt be a highlight.