Audi finished the year in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Bahrain in second place.
Audi finished the year in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Bahrain in second place. The World Championship winning team* had to admit defeat only for the second time in eight races and can look back on a highly successful sporting season.
Until shortly before the race’s midpoint, Audi Sport Team Joest was in a promising position in the final 6-hour race of the year. Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB) in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, with a gap of about 15 seconds, were running within striking distance of the leading Toyota. Then, on lap 95, Duval reported a problem in the power transmission system over the radio.
For the first time in 23 races which the various Audi R18 models have completed since 2011, a technical defect resulted in retirement. Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) subsequently took over second place from their team-mates. After 3:33 hours of racing, the stewards of the meeting imposed a drive-through penalty against Marcel Fässler for overtaking under yellow flags. Consequently, the number ‘1’ R18 e-tron quattro lost more than one minute and, after six hours of racing, crossed the finish line in second place.
On taking this 15th podium position in the current WEC season, Audi concluded an endurance racing year full of highlights in Bahrain. Audi Sport Team Joest decided six of the eight WEC rounds in its favor – one more than last year. The company celebrated the second title success in the manufacturer’s World Championship* early with its hybrid sports car. Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish won the drivers’ World Championship* early as well, following their Audi team-mates Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer, who were the first World Champions of the new series the previous year.
Audi’s twelfth victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the eleventh success at the Sebring 12 Hours held as part of the American Le Mans Series, the win of the tradition-steeped ‘Tourist Trophy’ at Silverstone plus five qualifying best times in the WEC completed the tally.
In addition, Audi won the drivers’ title in the DTM this year with Mike Rockenfeller and the team classification with Audi Sport Team Phoenix.
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