WEC – Audi: A fifth victory in a row in Austin?

Audi visera une cinquième victoire consécutive ce week-end à Austin après avoir remporté toutes les manches de la saison face à Toyota jusqu’ici. Après s’être imposé pour la 11e fois aux 12 Heures de Sebring, le constructeur aux anneaux cherchera à s’illustrer aux USA sur un circuit que la marque allemande découvrira cette semaine. “Austin promises to be a technically demanding circuit”, commented Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. “The drivers consider this track to be a very high level track. I hope our team and the car do well. This is an important race because the American market is very important for Audi. »

But the crews will concentrate above all on the internal struggle they are waging in the Championship. Following the victory of the No. 18 R1 of Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, the trio is now only 22 points behind their teammates. Loïc duval, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. Not to mention that the No. 8 Toyota of Anthony Davidson, Stéphane Sarrazin and Sébastien Buemi will be taken into account, the crew of the TS030 being keen to forget its early retirement at Interlagos. “I like driving in the USA and I can’t wait to be in Austin”, declared the Frenchman who won last March at Sebring. “I watched a few races that were held on this circuit. It's an interesting track and I always enjoy discovering new tracks. » His Swiss teammate shares this optimism even if he emphasizes that the 5,515km track which has 20 turns is not easy to understand. “It’s a superb track that awaits us in Austin. I really like racing in America because all the races offer a special atmosphere. The track was already very demanding on the simulator. The combinations of turns taken at different speeds will require time to adapt. It will also be important to position the car well on this relatively wide track. »

After having experienced a more complicated event in Sao Paulo, the crew of the No. 2 will seek to protect its place as leader of the Championship. Loïc Duval should not be too disturbed by the discovery of the Texan circuit after having already had to get his bearings at Interlagos. “This track already looks great on TV. It's hilly, technical and very fast in places, not to mention a few long turns. This seems to offer a good mix to enjoy behind the wheel of the R18 e-tron quattro. » His teammate Allan McNish, who gave Audi four ALMS titles, seems eager to return to racing in America. “We expect high temperatures and we are preparing for them with our manufacturer Michelin. I have celebrated many successes in America. Spectators in Austin can expect a great motorsport festival with the presence of WEC and ALMS in the same weekend. »