"Due to accidents we fell behind in our preparations last year and weren’t really well sorted at Le Mans," explains Dr. Ullrich. "This year, we’re much better prepared. But that doesn’t change the fact that we’ll be competing against very strong rivals at Le Mans and that, as always during the 24 hours, a lot can happen. Still, our goal is clear: we want to bring the winner’s trophy back to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm."
Audi has developed a revised version of its R15 TDI racer for this year’s race, with the vehicle being called R15 TDI plus. The vehicle will be in the hands of three driver teams.
The “Number 7” car will be driven by Dindo Capello (Italy), Dindo Capello (Italy), Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland), who achieved Audi’s eighth Le Mans victory in 2008 and finished third in 2009.
The “Number 8” racer will be handled by hree new signings: Marcel Fässler (Switzerland), André Lotterer (Germany) and Benoît Treluyer (France), while the crew of “Number 9” will be comprised of two Porsche factory drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) plus DTM driver Mike Rockenfeller (Germany).
Starting from next year, the 24 h of Le Mans event will have a new set of technical regulations that will prescribe smaller and more efficient engines. Audi Sport has already started developing the succesor of the current R15 TDI plus racecar, with the project being dubbed “R18”.
"Downsizing, energy recovery and electric mobility, as well, will play a major part in future events of the Le Mans 24 Hours," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "I can’t imagine a better platform for Audi than this unique race."
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