Audi has announced their driver line-up for the forthcoming Sebring and Le Mans endurance races, as the manufacturer bids to become the first team ever to win either legendary race with a diesel powered vehicle.
Audi will enter a pair of Joest-run R10 prototypes at Le Mans and at Sebring under the Audi Sport North America banner, with Allan McNish, Frank Biela, Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner signed to compete in both races.
All six drivers in the team are seasoned campaigners for Audi, with 12 Sebring wins between them and a further 17 Le Mans victories – seven of them from Kristensen alone.
Replacing the hugely successful R8 prototype, the diesel fuelled R10 will be attempting to continue Audi's superb record at Le Mans, ahead of the expected return of Peugeot to sportscars, who's diesel prototype is due to arrive next year.
Powered by a newly developed V12 TDI engine, the R10 has already proved very quick in testing at Sebring earlier in the year. Nonetheless, the twelve hour race at the circuit is still being treated as a testing exercise ahead of going to for the ultimate prize in sportscar racing.
"The R10 project is the greatest challenge ever to face Audi Sport," said 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."
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