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Le Mans / ALMS
LE MANS: Audi Set For Hybrid Debut
Two diesel-powered hybrids to compete in FIA World Endurance Championship, four cars at 24 Hours of Le Mans...
Audi's R18 Hybrid will make its debut at the Six Hours of Spa in April and complete the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Photo: Audi)
One of the worst-kept secrets in the sports car racing world was revealed Thursday as Audi confirmed that it will race a hybrid version of its Audi R18 in this year's FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The German manufacturer, which had begun testing the flywheel-based system last year, will enter two R18H in the eight-round global championship, as well as two additional diesel-only entries in the around-the-clock French classic.
"To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages," explained Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans.
"As before, we still, however, see potential with the conventional drive - just as our colleagues do in production development. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race."
While an official unveil of the program won't come until the end of the month, both Allan McNish and Andre Lotterer have been nominated as full-season drivers for its WEC attack, with Timo Bernhard and Oliver Jarvis listed in the Nos. 3 and 4 R18s for Le Mans.
McNish is likely to be joined by eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen for the WEC, while it's unclear who Lotterer's co-driver could be. Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler, who shared victory at Le Mans last year with Lotterer, are both logical candidates.
Newcomer Jarvis, expected to drive in select rounds, is no stranger to the Audi family, having driven for the brand in DTM since 2008. The 28-year-old Englishman made his Le Mans debut in 2010 at the wheel of a Kolles Audi R10 TDI.
Audi will debut the R18H at the Six Hours of Spa in May, with last year's challengers leading their charge at the WEC season-opener at Sebring next month. Three cars are expected for Sebring, with the potential for all four to be present at Spa, which will serve as the dress-rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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
The German manufacturer, which had begun testing the flywheel-based system last year, will enter two R18H in the eight-round global championship, as well as two additional diesel-only entries in the around-the-clock French classic.
"To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages," explained Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans.
"As before, we still, however, see potential with the conventional drive - just as our colleagues do in production development. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race."
While an official unveil of the program won't come until the end of the month, both Allan McNish and Andre Lotterer have been nominated as full-season drivers for its WEC attack, with Timo Bernhard and Oliver Jarvis listed in the Nos. 3 and 4 R18s for Le Mans.
McNish is likely to be joined by eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen for the WEC, while it's unclear who Lotterer's co-driver could be. Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler, who shared victory at Le Mans last year with Lotterer, are both logical candidates.
Newcomer Jarvis, expected to drive in select rounds, is no stranger to the Audi family, having driven for the brand in DTM since 2008. The 28-year-old Englishman made his Le Mans debut in 2010 at the wheel of a Kolles Audi R10 TDI.
Audi will debut the R18H at the Six Hours of Spa in May, with last year's challengers leading their charge at the WEC season-opener at Sebring next month. Three cars are expected for Sebring, with the potential for all four to be present at Spa, which will serve as the dress-rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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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