12 Hours of Sebring – Audi enters two R-18 e-tron quattros

“We are off to a racing weekend full of emotions”. The words come from Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Director of Aud Sport, as he discusses the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring, which will take place on March 16. For the occasion, the brand with the rings is lining up two R-18 e-tron quattros. Two cars in the LM P1 category which will make their appearance in Florida for the first time, but which will no longer be authorized from 2014, and which will de facto race here for the last time. Coincidentally, it was at this same race, in 1999, that the German brand began its extraordinary endurance career. Quite a symbol.

“It was at Sebring that the successful era of Audi sports cars began”, remembers Wolfgang Ullrich. “We hope that with our two hybrid cars we will fight for the final victory for the last time”. If successful, it would be the 11th for Audi in this prestigious event which serves as a test before the 24 Hours of Le Mans. During its last 13 participations here, the brand with the rings has won 22 podiums.

La marque allemande précise qu?en plus d?une R-18 e-tron quattro de 2012, une version améliorée sera sur la grille en Floride. Marcel Fässler, Oliver Jarvis et le Français Benoît Tréluyer ainsi que Lucas di Grassi, Tom Kristensen et Allan McNish se veront confier leurs volants. A noter que si le record de victoires est toujours déténu par Porsche, avec 20 succès à Sebring, le Danois Tom Kristensen possède ce record en tant que pilote en étant monté six fois sur la plus haute marche du podium.