Team WRT separates from Audi Sport

Clearly, the summer period is conducive to disunity. One day later Fernando Alonso's departure fromAlpine to Aston Martin en Formula 1, another flagship association is coming to an end: the one linking Team WRT to Audi Sport in Grand Tourism.

The Belgian team, led by Vincent Vosse and Yves Weerts, had represented the interests of the brand at Les Anneaux in GT3 since 2010. From the first year, the 24 Hours of Spa fell into the hands of the Belgian structure.

THANK YOU @audisport !

Team WRT and Audi: a fantastic 13-season-long partnership, will unfold end of 2022.

The partnership between Team WRT and Audi Sport customer racing in GT3 racing will come to an end after the 2022 season. pic.twitter.com/TgTcVBNsxJ

— WRT – W Racing Team (@followWRT) August 2

“This is a very special and emotional moment for all of us at Team WRT and for me personally, as we announce that an important chapter in the history of our organization will soon end and a new one will begin, declares Vincent Vosse. It could not be otherwise because Audi is the brand with which we have been associated since the creation of Team WRT at the end of 2009 and our only partner in GT3.

I remember very well the mutual excitement of the first contacts, which were facilitated by the Belgian Audi Club and our friend JG Mal-Voy, who is always in our hearts. From there, a fantastic journey began. A fantastic journey, not only because of the numerous successes, but also because of the excellent collaboration and the common philosophy of excellence and innovation, always looking to the future.

Along the way, we have made so many good friends and shared and enjoyed so many connections through all circumstances, good and not so good. There are so many people we would like to thank that it is impossible to do so here. By naming Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Werner Frowein, Dieter Gass, Rolf Michl, or also Romolo Liebchen, Chris Reinke, or Siegfried Krause, we really want to extend our appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved in the joint programs during these thirteen years . All things in life have a beginning and an end and our paths will now part but long-standing friendships will endure. We can all have a sense of pride looking at what has been accomplished together and we will all treasure the many good memories of this great period. »

Team WRT has accomplished great feats with Audi: 30 titles in the different names of the SRO championships (GT World Challenge Europe, Blancpain GT Series, FIA GT3, victories in the most prestigious Grand Touring competitions (24 Hours of the Nürburgring, 10 Hours of Suzuka, 12 Hours of Bathurst, 24 Hours of Dubai, FIA GT World Cup in Macau, etc.) and several awards in the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) and in DTM.

“After 13 fantastic years, we will go our separate ways from 2023, but we will continue to maintain friendly ties, assures Chris Reinke, head of Audi Sport Customer Racing. The close relationship with Vincent Vosse as well as with Yves and Pascal Weerts is characterized by deep trust, common sporting values ​​and an absolute desire for success. A big thank you to them and their entire team, combined with our best wishes for the future. »

The future, with BMW?

If Audi will no longer be the official partner of Team WRT at the end of 2022, the French-speaking team will not cease its activities, far from it. According to our information, BMW would be in a very good position to partner with Team WRT.
The propeller manufacturer could entrust its LMDh program in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) to Team WRT from 2024, which has a great business card in WEC (LM P2 champion in 2021, winner at 24 Hours of Le Mans in LM P2 in 2021).

The involvement of M4 GT3 in the various SRO badged series would be a logical extension of this partnership.