Difficult start for Audi at Sebring

The last weekend, Peugeot won the 12 Hours of Sebring hands down thanks to the No. 07 entrusted to Marc Gené, Alexander Wurz and Anthony Davidson ahead of Sébastien's sister car Bourdais, Nicolas Minassian and Pedro Lamy. Olivier Quesnel?s team stayed on site to carry out tests and offer driving time to simon pagenaud, at the wheel of the HPD ARX-01c during the 12 Hours. The Frenchman will share the seat for the occasion with Gené and Davidson.

But the Lion brand is not alone on the Florida route. Indeed, Highcroft and Corvette, who both had a difficult race, also stayed for tests, and Audi, largely absent from the event, joined them in order to perfect its knowledge of the 15 R2010.

Unlike its main adversary who was full of confidence in the United States, at Audi yesterday it was a bit of a mess. As we announced to you at the end of the day, Mike Rockenfeller crashed the "R15 Plus" into the pile of tires at turn 17 (Sunset Bend), the return leg just before the pit straight. The car appears to be heavily damaged at the right rear. The Ingolstadt firm having only traveled with one and only example, it is to be hoped that Dr Ullrich?s team of mechanics will be able to repair it in order to continue the session.

We don't know if this is an error on the part of the German driver or if the 15 version of the R2010 is as difficult to drive as its predecessor, but whatever happens, Audi's entire program is at fault. finds himself turned upside down. A damaging event especially when we know that last year the lack of driving and therefore knowledge of the car was very detrimental to them during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We now have to hope to see the German prototype again on the bumpy tarmac of the former American military airport this week. Peugeot is in great shape, and to come and tickle the 908 HDi FAP in Sarthe next June, it will take an Audi team in full possession of its means.

Find the full report of the 12 Hours of Sebring in your AUTOhebdo magazine on newsstands tomorrow.