Dries Vanthoor expects Audi R8 LMS to lose top speed

Monza 2018 marked the first victory of a Audi R8 LMS GT3 in Blancpain GT Series on the legendary Italian autodrome. It must be said that the GT with the rings was rarely at ease on the long Lombard straights, but the talent of Dries Vanthoor, Christopher Mies and Alex Riberas made the difference.

A year later, if Vanthoor and Riberas will be back at the wheel of the 8 version of the R3 LMS GT2019 flanked by the number 1, the tandem will welcome a newcomer in the person of Ezequiel Perez Companc, arrived from Grasser Racing Team. The Argentinian will discover a new environment, but above all will have to deal with an R8 LMS GT3 revised and corrected by Audi.

Considered easier for gentlemen drivers and offering improved aerodynamics and cooling system. But what will this latest addition look like on this very special track on the Blancpain GT Series calendar?

“I don't know very well what to expect from this first meeting in Monza, but I am sure that the general level will be very high again this year and that we will have to fight to achieve results, admits Dries Vanthoor. In 2018, we were able to win this first event of the season thanks to a perfect race even though Monza is not the ideal track for the Audi R8 LMS.

This year we have to see how the new car will work in its 2019 version and if the estimated gain in corners will be able to compensate for our probable reduction in top speed."

The 8 Audi R3 LMS GT2019 will notably face a largely renewed contingent of GT3s this season, with the arrival of the new Aston Martin Vantage et Porsche 911 GT3 R, quand Lamborghini ou encore Honda proposeront des évolutions de leurs Huracan et NSX GT3.