-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Latest Headlines: NASCAR
-
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
-
Latest Headlines: Moto-Racing
-
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: Audi, Pescarolo To Start WEC With 2011 Cars
Audi R18 TDI and Pescarolo 01 Judd to compete in 60th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring...
Audi Sport Team Joest will campaign three 2011-spec R18 TDIs in the WEC season opener. (Photo: LAT)
While the 60th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring marks the kickoff of a new era in sports car racing, the lone LMP1 factory squad competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship opener will do so with last year’s car.
Audi Sport Team Joest has received approval from the FIA Endurance Committee to run its 2011-specification Audi R18 TDIs at Sebring, instead of the German manufacturer’s new R18 Hybrids, which were registered as full-season entrants for the eight-round global championship.
Audi is not the only LMP1 team expected to run last year’s machinery at Sebring, as Henri Pescarolo says he’s submitted a request to run his 2011-spec Pescarolo 01, complete with a 5.0-liter Judd V10, which is no longer allowed.
Pescarolo Team announced earlier this month that it would contest the WEC with a new Pescarolo 03, based around the Aston Martin AMR-One tub and suspension components. The veteran team principal says the car will not be ready until the second round at Spa, where Audi will also debut its R18 Hybrid.
"I note the exceptional sportsmanship prevailing in endurance in general and especially in the WEC, and I thank both the ACO and FIA all LMP1 competitors,” Pescarolo said of the decision.
Both Audi and Pescarolo will face a 15kg weight penalty for running last year's car.
Audi’s decision to start the season with 2011-spec machinery comes as no surprise, as the defending Le Mans winners used an evolution version of the R15 plus at Sebring last year before unveiling its R18 TDI at Spa.
Three of last year’s R18s have been entered for Sebring, with Le Mans-nominated drivers Andre Lotterer and Allan McNish the only confirmed pilots so far.
With Toyota also not debuting its TS030 Hybrid until Spa, the WEC opener will see a mix of old and new cars. Three new HPDs and Lolas, along with a 2012-spec Oak-Pescarolo will complete the expected 11-car LMP1 grid, which includes American Le Mans Series entrants Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and Dyson Racing.
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
Audi Sport Team Joest has received approval from the FIA Endurance Committee to run its 2011-specification Audi R18 TDIs at Sebring, instead of the German manufacturer’s new R18 Hybrids, which were registered as full-season entrants for the eight-round global championship.
Audi is not the only LMP1 team expected to run last year’s machinery at Sebring, as Henri Pescarolo says he’s submitted a request to run his 2011-spec Pescarolo 01, complete with a 5.0-liter Judd V10, which is no longer allowed.
Pescarolo Team announced earlier this month that it would contest the WEC with a new Pescarolo 03, based around the Aston Martin AMR-One tub and suspension components. The veteran team principal says the car will not be ready until the second round at Spa, where Audi will also debut its R18 Hybrid.
"I note the exceptional sportsmanship prevailing in endurance in general and especially in the WEC, and I thank both the ACO and FIA all LMP1 competitors,” Pescarolo said of the decision.
Both Audi and Pescarolo will face a 15kg weight penalty for running last year's car.
Audi’s decision to start the season with 2011-spec machinery comes as no surprise, as the defending Le Mans winners used an evolution version of the R15 plus at Sebring last year before unveiling its R18 TDI at Spa.
Three of last year’s R18s have been entered for Sebring, with Le Mans-nominated drivers Andre Lotterer and Allan McNish the only confirmed pilots so far.
With Toyota also not debuting its TS030 Hybrid until Spa, the WEC opener will see a mix of old and new cars. Three new HPDs and Lolas, along with a 2012-spec Oak-Pescarolo will complete the expected 11-car LMP1 grid, which includes American Le Mans Series entrants Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and Dyson Racing.
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
Monterey
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
INDYCAR: Inside IndyCar's New Speed, Safety And Technology Initiative…
INDYCAR's Derrick Walker takes Marshall Pruett through where the… -
PHOTOS: Indy 500 Carb Day 2013
Enjoy a selection of photos from Indy 500 Carb Day, including the… -
VIDEO: Amazing 4-Wide Finish To Indy Lights Freedom 100
Ireland's Peter Dempsey came from fourth at Turn 3 on the last lap… -
INDYCAR: Pagenaud Leads Indy 500 Carb Day Practice
After getting whooped in qualifying, Honda turns up the wick for… -
INDYCAR: Miller's Mailbag, 5.24
It's time for SPEED.com's weekly IndyCar Q&A with Robin Miller's… -
USAC: Honda To Sponsor National Midget Championship
Honda announced it would be the title sponsor for USAC’s National… -
GRAND-AM: Valiante Joins 8Star For Mid-Ohio
Daytona Prototype ace to sub for Stephane Sarrazin in next month's… - More News
