First racing commitment of the Audi R18 TDI

First racing commitment of the Audi R18 TDI

• Le Mans “dress rehearsal” at the 1000-kilometer race at Spa (Belgium)
• Record field comprising 60 sports prototypes and GT cars
• Audi Sport Team Joest competes with three cars

Ingolstadt, April 29, 2011 – Now the action will begin in earnest. After thousands
of test kilometers including the recent test day at Le Mans, the new Audi R18 TDI
is ready for its first race. At the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps
(Belgium) on May 7, Audi Sport Team Joest will perform its “dress rehearsal” for
the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The racing debut of a new race car is always a very special event and Audi Sport has
good experiences in this regard. Since 2000 every new sports prototype of the brand
with the four rings has won its first race. In 2000, 2006 and 2009 Sebring in Florida
(USA) was the venue of the respective debut victories of the R8, R10 TDI and R15
TDI models. The updated R15 TDI, internally designated as “R15 plus,” won its
maiden race as well, at Le Castellet (France).
Now Spa-Francorchamps is the track to see the debut of the latest LMP1 sports car
made by Audi which turns the company’s ultra-lightweight technology into a visual
experience and which is equipped with a new type of ultra-compact V6 TDI engine.
The circuit in the Belgian Ardennes region is seen as particularly demanding and
therefore well suited as the “dress rehearsal” for the season’s pinnacle at Le Mans
on June 11/12. Audi Sport Team Joest learned a lot at Spa-Francorchamps last year
as a month later, Audi celebrated a one-two-three result with the R15 TDI and broke
the 39-year distance record.
The squad led by Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich would again like to
decide the “dress rehearsal” in its favor, given that the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-
Francorchamps is also the second round of the newly incepted Intercontinental Le
Mans Cup (ILMC).

At Spa-Francorchamps speed and reliability will not be the only crucial factors as a
massive 60-car entry comprising of sports prototypes and GT vehicles have entered
the race. Consequently, the 7.004-kilometer track will be extremely packed.
Practice in the Ardennes will start as early as on Thursday. Qualifying is scheduled
for Friday afternoon. The 1000-kilometer race will start at 14:05 on Saturday and
last a maximum of six hours.

Topics of the weekend
• Will the Audi R18 TDI be able to win right away on its debut?
• How will Audi fare in the first comparison with the competition?
• How fuel-efficient will the new V6 TDI engine of the Audi R18 TDI be?
• Will Audi manage the first victory in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup?
• What role will the often changeable weather in the Ardennes play?
• How many spectators will turn out for the Audi R18 TDI’s race debut?
Quotes by the officials
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “We want to mainly use the race
at Spa-Francorchamps again to prepare for Le Mans. It’s important for the teams to
develop a feeling of working together in a racing situation before going to Le Mans.
We’ve already started to work on this at our 30-hour endurance run at Le Castellet
and the test day at Le Mans. But Spa also gives us a first assessment of where we
stand compared with the competition. For us the 1000-kilometer race is a very
important preparatory race for the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours.”
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “The 1000-kilometer race
at Spa is an ILMC round, which makes it very significant for us since we’re contesting
the whole ILMC season. Spa is the second round after Sebring. We’re running behind
in the championship and want to score as many points as possible. Our aim, very
clearly, is to try and equalize Peugeot’s advantage or to take the lead ourselves.
Naturally, for us Spa is also a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Le Mans 24 Hours, so it serves
a dual purpose.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
Timo Bernhard (30/D), Audi R18 TDI #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Clinched position two on the grid in last year’s qualifying at Spa
“I’m looking forward to the first race with the new Audi R18 TDI. I’ve got
particularly fond memories of Spa from last year. We had good qualifying there in
2010 because I put the car on the front row of the grid. Although in the end we only
finished fifth, the race helped us a lot to prepare for Le Mans. Achieving a great
result this year would be a nice motivation for the whole team. In the end this race
is intended to be our ‘dress rehearsal’ for Le Mans.”
Romain Dumas (33/F), Audi R18 TDI #1
• Won at Le Mans in 2010 together with Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller
“It’ll be an important race for us for two reasons. We’ve got a lot of learning to do
again. It’s important to be ready for Spa because obviously we want to win. But the
race is also a major practice for Le Mans. Last year we learned a lot. Together with
Timo (Bernhard) and Mike (Rockenfeller) I gained a great deal of self-confidence.
We did a good job of working together and preparing at Spa – with respect to quick
driver changes, for example. I’m hoping that we’ll have the same situation again
this year.”
Mike Rockenfeller (27/D), Audi R18 TDI #1
• Will race at the DTM season opener at Hockenheim one week before Spa
• Finished Spa in 2008 as the runner-up in the Audi R10 TDI
“I’m really looking forward to driving the Audi R18 TDI for the first time in racing
conditions. We’re all very excited to see where we stand. We put a lot of work into
the car during the winter. It’s great to see it on the track for the first time now. I’m
happy that after Sebring, where we ran with the R15 TDI, we can now race the new
car.”
Marcel Fässler (34/CH), Audi R18 TDI #2
• Was the 2006 runner-up at Spa in a Courage
• Also knows the track from numerous runs in 24-hour races
“I’m looking forward to this first race in the Audi R18 TDI at Spa with eager
anticipation. This track is a challenge, it’s like it was built for sports cars. It has
really great sections with very fast turns such as Eau Rouge and Blanchimont.
Generally speaking, Spa suits me very well. I’ve frequently won there and am always
happy when I get the chance to drive there again.”
André Lotterer (30/D), Audi R18 TDI #2
• Had an accident on the formation lap last year at Spa
“After so many tests and preparations with the new car you’re particularly eager to
drive it at the first race. Spa’s a great track and not far from the place where I grew
up. Last year I spun on the formation lap in difficult conditions. Unfortunately, the
wall there was very close and that meant I destroyed our race. I’ve learned a lesson
from that incident and am sure something like that won’t happen to me again. But
we still managed to prepare well for Le Mans. A good preparation for Le Mans is
again our goal this year.”
Benoît Tréluyer (34/F), Audi R18 TDI #2
• Contested a race in Japan between the test day at Le Mans and the round at Spa
“For the first time we will drive a closed car in a race. That’s a very special thing. It’s
always fun to begin the season with a new car. That’s why we’re just dying for the
first race. New regulations have come into effect. We’re eager to see the
performance of the vehicle compared with the competition. Naturally, nobody will
have finished their preparations 100 percent, but Spa gives us a small but vital pretaste
of Le Mans.”
Dindo Capello (46/I), Audi R15 TDI #3
• Clinched second place at Spa in 2004 together with Seiji Ara
• Contests the Italian GT Championship this year as well
“On any debut of a brand new car like the Audi R18 TDI it’s difficult to make a
prediction. We’ve been working hard on making this car fast and reliable. Everyone
is optimistic about managing a good result right in the first race. The whole team
knows that Spa is a very beautiful as well as a difficult and demanding track. What’s
more, there will be about 60 cars in the field, which makes the race even more
demanding. For Spa you need a combination of performance and agility. We’re there
to win but we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that our main job is to improve the car
for Le Mans and to prepare for the 24-hour race. Spa’s our only chance to drive the
R18 TDI at a race before the big run in June.”
Tom Kristensen (43/DK), Audi R18 TDI #3
• Won the 1000-kilometer race at Spa in 2003 in the Audi R8
“We’re all looking forward to the ILMC race at Spa. It’s the debut of our Audi R18
TDI, our new baby, on a fantastic race track. Personally, Spa is my favorite track, but
I think all drivers like it. This year there will be 60 cars in the field, so there will be a
lot of traffic on the track. That means You’ve got a car about every 100 meters. It’ll
be a very demanding situation for all the drivers. But we’re looking forward to what
will hopefully be a good ‘dress rehearsal’ for our run at the Le Mans 24 Hours a
month later.”
Allan McNish (41/GB), Audi R18 TDI #3
• Clinched Audi’s only ILMC pole position to date at Silverstone in 2010
“I’m always particularly keen on going to Spa. With a new car like the R18 TDI the
race will be very interesting for us and the fans. It marks the first occasion that all
our main rivals will be on track at the same time, so everyone looks forward to
qualifying with particularly eager anticipation – at least I do. The track is arguably
one of the top three for any driver. The weather at Spa though is usually
unpredictable. Last year it was raining on the grid while the track was bone dry on
the other side. We’ve tested the Audi R18 TDI a lot this year. We understand the
potential of the new car and know that we’ve got to get into a racing situation now
to see how the car performs in different conditions. Tom (Kristensen), Dindo
(Capello) and I are looking forward to being part of the whole action again. We
know from last year that Spa is a replica of Le Mans. We’ll be represented there with
all three race teams. That adds further spice to this race.”
The Audi drivers at Spa-Francorchamps
Timo Bernhard (D): *Feb 24, 1981 in Homburg (D); residence: Dittweiler (D);
married to Katharina; height 1.73 m; weight: 61 kg; Audi driver since 2009; Le Mans
victories: 1; ILMC races: 4; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best
result at 1000 km Spa: 5
Dindo Capello (I): *Jun 17, 1964 in Asti (I); residence: Canelli (I); married to
Elisabetta, one son (Giacomo); height: 1.72 m; weight: 66 kg; Audi driver since
1994; Le Mans victories: 3; ILMC races: 4; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0;
fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 2
Romain Dumas (F): *Dec 14, 1977 in Alès (F); residence: Basel (CH); single; height:
1.74 m; weight: 60 kg; Audi driver since 2009; Le Mans victories: 1; ILMC races: 4;
ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 5
Marcel Fässler (CH): *May 27,1976 in Einsiedeln (CH); residence: Gross (CH);
married to Isabel, four daughters (Shana, Elin, Yael, Delia); height 1.78 m; weight
78 kg; Audi driver since 2008; Le Mans victories: 0; ILMC races: 1; pole positions: 0;
fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa:
Tom Kristensen (DK): *Jul 07, 1967 in Hobro (DK); residence: Monaco (MC); single
(partner Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald) and one daughter (Carla Marlou);
height: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2000; ILMC races: 4; ILMC victories:
0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 1
André Lotterer (D): *Nov 19, 1981 in Duisburg (D); residence: Tokyo (J);
single; height 1.84 m; weight 74 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 0;
ILMC races: 1; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at
1000 km Spa: 12
Allan McNish (GB): *Dec 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB); residence: Monaco (MC);
married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte); height: 1.65 m; weight:
58 kg; Audi driver since 2000; Le Mans victories: 2; ILMC races: 4; ILMC victories: 0;
pole positions: 1; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 3
Mike Rockenfeller (D): *Oct 31,1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Altnau (CH); single;
height 1.75 m; weight 67 kg; Audi driver since 2007; Le Mans victories: 1; ILMC
races: 2; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km
Spa: 2
Benoît Tréluyer (F): *Dec 7, 1976 in Alençon (F); residence: Gordes (F); married to
Melanie, 1 son (Jules); height 1.78 m; weight 68 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans
victories: 0; ILMC races: 1; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best
result at 1000 km Spa: 12
All winners of the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (since 2003)
2003 Ara/Kristensen (Audi)
2004 Herbert/Davies (Audi)
2005 Nielsen/Elgaard/Shimoda (Zytek)
2006 Collard/Boullion (Pescarolo
2007 Lamy/Sarrazin (Peugeot)
2008 Gené/Minassian/Villeneuve (Peugeot)
2009 Minassian/Pagenaud/Klien (Peugeot)
2010 Lamy/Bourdais/Pagenaud (Peugeot)

Track info
Track length: 7.004 km
Race distance: 1000 kilometers
Qualifying record set on this track: Sébastien Bourdais (Peugeot), May 08,10, 1m
57.884s (213.892 km/h)
Race record set on this track: Franck Montagny (Peugeot), May 09,10, 1m 59.797s
(210.476 km/h)
Pole position 2010: Sébastien Bourdais (Peugeot), May 08,10, 1m 57.884s
(213.892 km/h)
Fastest lap 2010: Franck Montagny (Peugeot), May 09,10, 1m 59.797s (210.476
km/h)
André Lotterer about Spa-Francorchamps: “For me Spa is like a home track because
I grew up just an hour away from there. It’s one of the most beautiful race tracks in
the world. Overtaking is possible right in the first turn, La Source. The famous Eau
Rouge is next. Will we able to take it flat-out in the R18 TDI? In the R15 TDI we still
had to ‘lift’ slightly. The section in front of Les Combes is another good place for
overtaking. The turn drops toward the outside and you’re always a little too fast
there. The Pouhon double left-hander opens up a long way. You’ve got to take a lot
of speed with you. Then the Fagnes high-speed chicane literally flies toward the
driver. It should be possible to drive the Blanchimont passage flat-out if you put
yourself in a good position. The end of the circuit is marked by the slowest corner,
the new chicane in front of the start and finish.”
ILMC LMP1 manufacturers standings after 1 of 7 rounds:
1 Peugeot 27 points; 2 Audi, 17.
ILMC LMP1 team standings after 1 of 7 rounds:
1 Team ORECA Matmut, 15 points; 2 Peugeot Sport Total, 12; 3 Audi Sport Team
Joest, 9; 4 Rebellion Racing, 6.
Schedule (local times; CET)
Thursday, May 5
12:20–13:20 Free practice
16:55–17:55 Free practice
Friday, May 6
11:50–12:50 Free practice
15:50–16:10 Qualifying (GTE vehicles)
16:20–16:40 Qualifying (prototypes)
Saturday, May 7
09:55–10:15 Warm-up
14:05–20:05 Race (1000 kilometers, maximum of 6 hours)

Info and Fotos: Audi Motorsport Communications/ for acreditated and autorized press media.