WEC – Audi fears the Shanghai circuit

Audi Sport is divided as it prepares for the 6 Hours of Shanghai this weekend. The Ingolstadt manufacturer will be keen to bounce back following its poor performance in Fuji (Japan) where the first R18 e-tron quattro only finished in fifth place. Its victory acquired in Austin (Texas) and its success achieved by Tréluyer-Fässler-Lotterer the previous year on the Chinese circuit nevertheless gave the German team confidence. “The Chinese market is one of the most important for us,” recalled Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport. “We managed to get the victory last year after putting in a solid performance, even the track doesn't quite suit our car. »

The Shanghai circuit does not in fact benefit the R18 e-tron quattro which risks marking time against the Toyota TS040 Hybrid particularly efficient during the last Japanese round. Last year, Audi won by just 13 seconds thanks in particular to a superb stint by Benoît Tréluyer who set the best lap in the race. “We had a very good performance last year in Shanghai,” highlighted the last winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Our pace was satisfactory. We plan to do the same this year knowing that the track is not suitable for our car. The crucial moment arrives in the battle for the title. »

In the Drivers' Championship, Sébastien Buemi and Anthony Davidson (Nicolas lapierre missed the 6 Hours of Fuji) remain in the lead with 29 points ahead of the Tréluyer-Fässler-Lotterer trio with three events remaining in the season. On the other hand, the fight is closer in the Manufacturers' standings since Toyota is only eight units ahead of the brand on the rings.