The battle for the top intensifies within Audi

Newly-crowned FIA World Endurance Manufacturers Champions Audi have every reason to be pleased with the result at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the fourth round and mid-way point of the WEC season. The win by Fassler-Lotterer-Treluyer in the No.1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro was further confirmation, following its win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, of the marque’s highly successful hybrid technology.

But the battle for supremacy in the drivers’ classification is by no means over. Following the Silverstone round there is a change of leaders, as the drivers of the No.1 Audi have for the first time overtaken veterans Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, who experienced a number of set-backs in their race to third place.

The Danish-Scottish duo will be joined in the No.2 Audi R18 ultra for the fifth round in Brazil by local hot-shot and former F1 driver, Lucas di Grassi. It will be a one-off appearance for the factory team, the first time a Brazilian has raced for Audi.

“The WEC race is a nice opportunity to attract attention at home together with Audi,” said di Grassi. “Endurance racing is a fascinating discipline of motorsport which I’ve only experienced in tests so far [for Peugeot Sport]. That’s why I’m particularly excited about my debut in the WEC for Audi alongside two big names like Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen.”

In 2009, Lucas tested an Audi R10 TDI for the Kolles team and in preparation for Interlagos he tested an Audi R18 ultra at the Lausitzring for three days in early August. “He left a good impression then, which motivated us to sign him,” says Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

Fiona Miller (quotes from Audi press release)

PHOTO: LUCAS DI GRASSI WILL DRIVE THE NO.1 AUDI R18 ULTRA WITH TOM KRISTENSEN AND ALLAN MCNISH IN ROUND 5 OF THE FIA WEC IN SAO PAULO, BRAZIL.