Audi factory driver Lucas Luhr in profile
- German “young gun” set for DTM debut
- Lucas moves from Monte Carlo to Lake Constance
- Fishing is an unusual hobby for racing driver
Lucas Luhr has a dream: “I want to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And I believe that at Audi I’m in exactly the right place.” The young German, who has recently moved from Monte Carlo to Lake Constance in Switzerland, originates from the Porsche staircase of talent. With the Swabians he has won everything that there was to win – more recently the American Le Mans Series LM P2 class title.
The 27-year-old now targets more than just class wins. “With Audi I can fight for overall honours,” he says. “And I’m looking forward to finally get the attention I want in my home country Germany for the races I do.” Insiders know just what Lucas Luhr has delivered over the years. To the majority of the public “Lucky” is (still) relatively unknown. This should change thanks to his involvement in DTM, Europe’s most popular Touring Car Series which is Lucas Luhr’s priority for the immediate future.
He knows that 2007 won’t be a push-over. He must live with a year-old car entered by Audi Sport Team Rosberg and collect experience. However, he also is aware that he has long-term prospects at Audi Sport. This is the main point.
“I’m really looking forward to the DTM, which is a very big challenge for me,” says Luhr. “In DTM you have to give attention to many little details. I’m keen to get this right. I want to learn as much as possible in my first DTM year and make the most out of it as quickly as possible. My target is to score as many points as possible. However, I’ll see only after two or three races where I really stand.”
The career change from Porsche to Audi was not the only important step Lucas Luhr made last year. He also married his partner Claudia. The couple have two children (Georgina and Gianluca). He spends as much of his free time as possible with his family.
His other great passion is rather unusual for a racing driver: Lucas Luhr loves to go fishing. This, however, is not the main reason which made him move from Monte Carlo to Ermatingen near Lake Constance. More important was being closer to his home country, to Audi Sport and the higher quality of living Switzerland is able to offer.
The new Audi factory driver keeps himself in shape at Lake Constance mainly by running und cycling. He plays golf and tennis and has started to play soccer. “But I’m still learning,” emphasises 1.85-metre tall Lucas. He also likes to watch soccer games on television. “But only the top games. I’m not an ardent soccer fan.”
He became involved in motor racing due to his father, who was also a race driver. When his father competed in the 24-hour race around the Nürburgring, the youngster took his father’s wallet and spent every last penny at the kart track there. Afterwards I said: “Dad, I want a go-kart!”
Now he has become an Audi factory driver and has an RS 4 in his garage for daily use. He has already successfully tested the Audi A4 DTM and is looking forward to the first race of the DTM season on 22 April at Hockenheim. Before that, he will have his first chance to test the 650-hp Audi R10 TDI. And this takes him a step closer to living his big dream of Le Mans.