Sebring - February 18, 2006
High-calibre driver squad for Audi R10
AUDI AG wants to achieve its ambitious goal, to be the first automobile
manufacturer to win the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel
engine, with a high-calibre driver line-up: The two Audi R10 prototypes will
be driven by Frank Biela (D), Dindo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK),
Allan McNish (GB), Emanuele Pirro (I) and Marco Werner (D) – all
seasoned campaigners who have proven their driving skills at the wheel
of the Audi R8 over the course of the last few years.
The R10 is powered by a newly developed V12 TDI engine producing
almost 650 hp and 1100 Newton metres of torque. "The R10 project is
the greatest challenge ever to face Audi Sport,” explains Head of Audi
Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "It goes without saying that we needed
drivers with experience in depth for this project, who also play an
important roll during the development. I’m delighted that we have
managed to form such a strong driving squad for Le Mans and for the test
race at Sebring.”
Seasoned campaigners at wheel of the new diesel sportscar
Each of the six Audi drivers has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the
12-hour race at Sebring at least once, as a group they have recorded 17
Le Mans and twelve Sebring wins. Heading the list is the Dane Tom
Kristensen (38) who has already won seven times at Le Mans and three
times at Sebring.
First race on 18 March at Sebring (USA)
The six contest their first race with the R10 at the 12 Hours of Sebring
(USA) on 18 March which is seen as a test race for Le Mans. With the
exception of Tom Kristensen all the Audi drivers have already tested the
new Audi R10 extensively. Kristensen was at the wheel of the R10 during
the presentation in Paris in December and will get ample opportunity
during the test and practice days before the Sebring race to familiarise
himself with the new diesel sportscar.
The two Audi R10 prototypes will be entered in Sebring and Le Mans by
Reinhold Joest’s team, which previously supported the Audi Sport
Development Team during the successful R8 project years. Both Audi
R10 prototypes will race under the Audi Sport North America banner in
Sebring.
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