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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: Audi Confirms 2013 WEC Program, Sebring
Three Audi R18 e-tron quattros for 24 Hours of Le Mans; two for WEC season; plans for entry at Sebring as well...
Audi will contest the FIA WEC with two R18 e-tron quattros in 2013. (Photo: John Dagys)
Audi will return to the FIA World Endurance Championship to defend its title next year, while also maintaining a presence in America with a planned entry in the Twelve Hours of Sebring, it was announced Wednesday.
Confirmation of the German manufacturer's sports car programs came this evening at the "Audi Sport Finale" in Ingolstadt, where Audi revealed that it will enter three R18 e-tron quattros in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Two updated versions of the flywheel hybrid-powered prototype will be run in the entire eight-round FIA WEC, with newly crowned World Champions Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler returning in 2013.
Additionally, veterans Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen will be back at the wheel of an R18 e-tron quattro, while Oliver Jarvis, Loic Duval, Marc Gene and new signing Lucas di Grassi will complete three-car Le Mans lineup.
No word has been given on the exact lineups for each of the cars or driver designations for WEC.
Notably absent from Audi's 2013 squad are Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas, who were Porsche factory drivers on-loan for the last four seasons. The duo are expected to be a part of Porsche's new LMP1 program in 2014, while also spending time in the new 991-based GTE-Pro entry in the WEC next year.
Marco Bonanomi and Mike Rockenfeller, who teamed with Jarvis for a podium result at Le Mans this year in a fourth Audi, will also not return, as well as longtime factory pilot Dindo Capello, who recently announced his retirement from prototype racing.
Despite reports of forgoing the American Le Mans Series season-opener, Audi also confirmed Wednesday that it plans to tackle the Twelve Hours of Sebring with at least one R18 e-tron quattro.
The automaker has won the Florida endurance classic ten out of the last 13 years.
"It looks like this may be the last opportunity to compete with an LMP1 car at Sebring," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "We'd really like to use this chance and say goodbye to the fans with a nice showing after our fantastic success story in recent years."
The 61st annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is set for March 16, one month prior to the WEC season-opening Six Hours of Silverstone on April 14.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Confirmation of the German manufacturer's sports car programs came this evening at the "Audi Sport Finale" in Ingolstadt, where Audi revealed that it will enter three R18 e-tron quattros in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Two updated versions of the flywheel hybrid-powered prototype will be run in the entire eight-round FIA WEC, with newly crowned World Champions Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler returning in 2013.
Additionally, veterans Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen will be back at the wheel of an R18 e-tron quattro, while Oliver Jarvis, Loic Duval, Marc Gene and new signing Lucas di Grassi will complete three-car Le Mans lineup.
No word has been given on the exact lineups for each of the cars or driver designations for WEC.
Notably absent from Audi's 2013 squad are Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas, who were Porsche factory drivers on-loan for the last four seasons. The duo are expected to be a part of Porsche's new LMP1 program in 2014, while also spending time in the new 991-based GTE-Pro entry in the WEC next year.
Marco Bonanomi and Mike Rockenfeller, who teamed with Jarvis for a podium result at Le Mans this year in a fourth Audi, will also not return, as well as longtime factory pilot Dindo Capello, who recently announced his retirement from prototype racing.
Despite reports of forgoing the American Le Mans Series season-opener, Audi also confirmed Wednesday that it plans to tackle the Twelve Hours of Sebring with at least one R18 e-tron quattro.
The automaker has won the Florida endurance classic ten out of the last 13 years.
"It looks like this may be the last opportunity to compete with an LMP1 car at Sebring," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "We'd really like to use this chance and say goodbye to the fans with a nice showing after our fantastic success story in recent years."
The 61st annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is set for March 16, one month prior to the WEC season-opening Six Hours of Silverstone on April 14.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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