Audi drivers to battle for World Championship title in Shanghai
A 12th Le Mans triumph, securing the FIA WEC Manufacturers’ title in Japan, five victories and five pole positions from the first six events: Audi is clearly on top form in 2013 but there is one title still to be decided, the coveted FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Championship. In next weekend’s seventh round of the season at Shanghai (China), that too could be settled.
Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB) in the No.2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro will be doing all they can to wrap up that title race in the 6 Hours of Shanghai on Saturday, 9 November although it will be in the face of some fierce opposition from their team mates in the No.1 Audi, Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F), and the two Toyota TS030 Hybrids.
Three factors make the seventh round of the WEC a big challenge for Audi. At the premiere at Shanghai a year ago, Audi saw that the cornering radii of the modern Grand Prix circuit have a particularly disadvantageous effect on the R18 e-tron quattro. In six of the narrow turns, the hybrid race car is slower than 120 km/h. But only above this speed, the e-tron quattro hybrid system is allowed to use the recovered energy for acceleration again – as prescribed by the regulations.
With the event being two days instead of the usual three, there are just 33 hours between the first practice session and the chequered flag. This challenges the engineers’ and drivers’ powers of concentration when it comes to working on the technical set-up and preparation for the race.
A third factor adds further spice to the battle for the podium positions. As at Fuji, LMP1 challenger and last year’s race winner Toyota, like Audi, is fielding two cars.
Audi and its many racing fans are thus in for a challenging ‘home round.’ China has long become a second home to the brand with the four rings as the country is the largest single market and a strong growth engine for the company.
Marcel Fässler (37/CH), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Is traveling to China with his team-mates as last year’s World Champions
“Shanghai is a very special track with good overtaking opportunities. I really like the track layout. The first long turn immediately requires great skill because we can’t see the apex. Last year, the race wasn’t so easy for us but I’m convinced that this year we can be optimistic thanks to the very good preparation.”
André Lotterer (31/D), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Together with Benoît Tréluyer set the fastest time in qualifying most recently in Japan
“Shanghai is a typical, modern Grand Prix track. To be honest, my heart doesn’t really belong to such circuits with their very special turns. But that’s neither here nor there – we’re aiming to achieve the best for Audi. Last year, we weren’t able to make really good use of the tires. I’m optimistic because this year we’ve clearly made some progress that’ll again show in China.”
Benoît Tréluyer (36/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-With his team-mates has won the WEC rounds at Spa and São Paulo plus the Sebring 12 Hours this year
“I think Shanghai will be the most difficult race of the year. We’ve clearly seen that our engineers managed to make a big step with the car. But the track with its corners does not suit our car at all. Unfortunately, we’re not allowed to use our hybrid energy as freely as our competitor. Winning in China won’t be easy.”
Loïc Duval (31/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-After São Paulo and Austin, at Shanghai, gets to run on a third track previously unknown to him
“I’ll get to know another new track and country. We realize how important China is as an automobile market for Audi. Naturally, we’d like to be in contention for victory. That’s important for Audi and for us, the three drivers of car number ‘2.’”
Tom Kristensen (46/DK), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Together with Allan McNish was the best Audi driver team at Shanghai last year
“For us, the race in China is a nice task. We’d like to clinch the first WEC victory of the brand in the largest market. And we all know that the race will be about a possible early decision in the drivers’ World Championship after Audi has already won the title in the manufacturers’ classification.”
Allan McNish (43/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Together with his team-mates is leading the WEC standings
-Qualified in the best R18 e-tron quattro for the front row at Shanghai a year ago
“In the battle with Toyota, we’ve been more competitive this year than in the past season, especially on the tracks with tighter turns like the one in Brazil. Shanghai has such characteristics as well. I’m expecting a very close battle between the two manufacturers. Now, in the second year of the R18 e-tron quattro, we’ve got a very good feel for our car but the race won’t be easy.”
Information and quotes taken from Audi Sport press release
Photos: Courtesy of Audi Sport. Loic Duval, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish in the No.2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro will be aiming to secure the World Drivers' Championship in the 6 Hours of Shanghai.