12 Hours of Sebring – Audi enters two R-18 e-tron quattros

“We are off to a racing weekend full of emotions”. The words come from Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Director of Aud Sport, as he discusses the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring, which will take place on March 16. For the occasion, the brand with the rings is lining up two R-18 e-tron quattros. Two cars in the LM P1 category which will make their appearance in Florida for the first time, but which will no longer be authorized from 2014, and which will de facto race here for the last time. Coincidentally, it was at this same race, in 1999, that the German brand began its extraordinary endurance career. Quite a symbol.

“It was at Sebring that the successful era of Audi sports cars began”, remembers Wolfgang Ullrich. “We hope that with our two hybrid cars we will fight for the final victory for the last time”. If successful, it would be the 11th for Audi in this prestigious event which serves as a test before the 24 Hours of Le Mans. During its last 13 participations here, the brand with the rings has won 22 podiums.

The German brand specifies that in addition to a 18 R-2012 e-tron quattro, an improved version will be on the grid in Florida. Marcel Fässler, Oliver Jarvis and Frenchman Benoît Tréluyer as well as Lucas di Grassi, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish will be entrusted with their steering wheels. Note that if the victory record is still held by Porsche, with 20 successes at Sebring, the Dane Tom Kristensen has this record as a driver having climbed to the highest step of the podium six times.