ILMC: Audi chasing Peugeot

Opening round of the intercontinental Le Mans Cup, the 12 Hours of Sebring did not smile on Audi, which entered its Audi R15 plus for the last time. Just over a month from 24 Hours of Le Mans, the main goal of these 1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps will be to prepare for the big deadline in mid-June. But Ralf Jüttner, the technical director of Audi Sport Team Joest, has not forgotten the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, where the German firm is keen not to let Peugeot escape.

“The Spa 1000 km race is an ILMC round, which is very important for us, since we are competing in this championship in its entirety, explains Ralf Jüttner. This is the second meeting after Sebring. In the championship we are running behind (Peugeot, editor’s note). Therefore we want to score as many points as possible. Our goal, clearly, is to try to make up the gap separating us from Peugeot, or even take the lead. Naturally, it is also a dress rehearsal for us before Le Mans. This test therefore has a double challenge for us. »

The R15s in the garage, the public present this weekend on the Belgian Ardennes slide will see the debut of the new R18 TDIs. The German coupes made a strong impression on April 24 during the test day of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What will happen in racing conditions against a Peugeot team which will want to register its name on the Spa 1000 km list for the fifth time in a row?