Photo: Audi
Audi Motorsport has announced the introduction of a new long-tail version of their Le Mans-winning R18 hybrid race car at round two of the FIA World Endurance Championship set to take place at Spa.
Optimised for the high-speed Le Mans track, the new R18 e-tron quattro gained a redesigned aerodynamic package and can be recognised by its lengthened rear section. The vehicle will be raced at Spa as the team's third entry and will be driven by the Marc Gene - Lucas di Grassi - Oliver Jarvis trio.
Although long-tailed race cars usually bring better lap times, Audi claims that the lengthened R18 wasn’t developed just for speed. The prototype will also help the team analyze practical aspects of using a second body version at Le Mans by comparing both models on individual track sectors.
“As always, Audi will be using the race at Spa as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Spa is a race track with a character that’s completely different from Silverstone. We thoroughly reviewed the first race of the season and accomplished our tasks in order to be well prepared for the second round of the WEC. Fielding the Le Mans aero variant on the third vehicle that hasn’t been optimised for the lap times at Spa is an important element of the preparation for the 24-hour race,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.
The Spa 6 Hours race is scheduled to take place on May 4 in Belgium, while the 24 Hours of Le Mans will starts on June 22.
Although long-tailed race cars usually bring better lap times, Audi claims that the lengthened R18 wasn’t developed just for speed. The prototype will also help the team analyze practical aspects of using a second body version at Le Mans by comparing both models on individual track sectors.
“As always, Audi will be using the race at Spa as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Spa is a race track with a character that’s completely different from Silverstone. We thoroughly reviewed the first race of the season and accomplished our tasks in order to be well prepared for the second round of the WEC. Fielding the Le Mans aero variant on the third vehicle that hasn’t been optimised for the lap times at Spa is an important element of the preparation for the 24-hour race,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.
The Spa 6 Hours race is scheduled to take place on May 4 in Belgium, while the 24 Hours of Le Mans will starts on June 22.
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