Team WRT will be able to aim high at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring

The Belgian Audi Club Team WRT will only make its second start at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, but the professionalism of the team combined with the talents present in the crew composed of Christopher Haase, Christopher Mies, Edward Sandström and Laurens Vanthoor will allow the Audi R8 LMS ultra n°29 to hope to play at the forefront. The Belgian team was already fighting for a place on the podium last year before a contact with another car relegated it to 32nd place at the finish and predictions seem very difficult to define before such an event.

“Everything that can be said about the 24 Hours of Nürburgring is very far from reality”, admits Team Principal Vincent Vosse. “I have participated in it several times as a driver and I am discovering this race today from another angle. It is truly a very special and very difficult event, because it is almost impossible to master all the parameters. We are well aware that during this race, even more than any other, it is impossible to have everything under control. We will see how things go this year, but I have full confidence in the reliability of the Audi R8 LMS ultra and that of our drivers. I further believe that the Balance of Performance is correct. The first objective is therefore to help Audi win again. »

Christopher Haase dreams of a second success on the Nordschleife after winning last year with Team Phoenix. But the 24-year-old Bavarian is aware that an element of luck is essential to a good result, as the racing conditions and upheavals are omnipresent in this event. “Winning here, especially for a German, really means something. It's the biggest GT race in the world and a real challenge. For me, it is a dream that has come true and certainly one of the greatest successes of my career. And yet, after winning once, you just want to win a second time! It?s not necessarily the fastest car that wins here. What you need is a car designed for endurance, like the Audi R8, a great team, like WRT, and excellent teammates, like those I will have this weekend. The most important thing is to avoid mistakes, stay focused, get through the pitfalls of the night and then adopt the right strategy for the final hours. You can never predict anything, but one thing is certain: it?s good to be involved in an Audi! »

On the other hand, Laurens Vanthoor will compete in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring for the first time. But the Belgian will be able to count on the experience of his teammates, having been unable to get his bearings in the Green Hell since one of the two VLN events was canceled.

Free practice and qualifying will take place on Friday and Saturday. The start of the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring will take place on Sunday at 17 p.m.