Audi R8R records consistent lap times
The two Audi R8Rs entered by Audi Sport Team Joest were able to defend their grid positions at the start of the Le Mans 24 Hour race with consistent lap times. After two hours, the Audi R8R No.7 was in ninth position with the second also well placed in 11th position.
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich: „We decided to take no risks in the early stages of the race. After two stints, we changed the tyres for safety reasons. From now on, we want to do three stints with one set of tyres and at least one more lap with fuel.“
The Audi R8R No.8 pitted early for its first routine stop to avoid both cars stopping at the same time. Michele Alboreto and Emanuele Pirro who began the race at 16.00 were both happy and content in the 46-car field.
Alboreto commented: „I was able to do very consistent lap times.“ Pirro added: „The car runs very well but the track was slippery at the beginning“.
For Audi Sport UK this famous race did not begin well. The Audi R8C No.10, with Andy Wallace at the wheel, had a gearbox change after 20 minutes losing a total of 40 minutes in the pits. Audi‘s Head of Sport
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said: „The problems with the gearbox have nothing to do with the transmission but with the link between the gearshift and the gearbox unit itself which is different from that on the R8R.“
The second Audi R8C driven by last year‘s Le Mans winner Stéphane Ortelli lost precious time because the car directly ahead was losing oil. The Frenchman said: „The windscreen was totally covered in oil and also the tyres.“
Audi TT Roadster also in spotlight
While Audi enjoys its début in the world‘s most famous motor race, the Audi TT Roadster was also in the spotlight at Le Mans today when the model was used as the offical drivers‘ parade lap car.
In front of 200,000 spectators, not only did the 12 Audi works drivers ride in the Roadster but the remaining 126 drivers competing in the 67th running of the annual sportscar endurance race making for a fine spectacle.