Ullrich: “It’s different every time”

Audi is preparing to compete in the duel of the season with Peugeot during the 79th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans which will take place next week. The German manufacturer dreams of a 10th victory at the Sarthe event.

Published on 04/06/2011 à 09:41

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The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011 will mark the first clash between the new Peugeot 908 and the Audi R18 TDI. After shining last year by achieving a double, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich would like to achieve another success in Sarthe. But the Audi sporting director is wary of the large number of new features, a factor in many uncertainties for the race.

“Le Mans is an entirely new challenge every year and it’s different every time”, comments the director of Audi Motorsport. “This particularly applies to 2011 with the new regulations. Reducing engine displacement is at the heart of the new technical objectives and is today the main theme of our commitment to motorsport. »

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich dreams of a 10th victory in Sarthe, but he knows that anything can happen in 24 hours. “Le Mans is one of the most important races in the world”he recalls. “We can practically cover the distance of a season of F1 in a weekend. Audi?s nine victories since 2000 did not happen by chance. Despite our optimal preparation, no victory is guaranteed in the discipline and even more particularly at Le Mans. »

Find AUTOhebdo's 2011 Le Mans Guide, currently available on newsstands.