Audi Team Complete for Le Mans 2000
The Audi pilots for the Le Mans 24 Hour race are confirmed: Almost five months before the next edition of the French endurance classic, Audi has signed up pilots Laurent Aiello (F), Allan McNish (GB), and Stéphane Ortelli (F). Together with Christian Abt (D), Michele Alboreto (I), Frank Biela (D), Rinaldo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK), and Emanuele Pirro (I) the team are confident in clinching victory at the world´s most spectacular race run over the 17/18 June 2000.
"We are pleased to have Laurent, Allan and Stéphane on board,“ says Head of Audi Sport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "After our successful debut last year we have put together a team which is certainly able to bring home the first Le Mans victory for Audi."
Already in 1998, Aiello, McNish and Ortelli were part of a victorious Le Mans team. Included amongst the current Audi pilots are five Le Mans winners, with the driver line-up having competed at La Sarthe a total of 27 times.
In the meantime, the development of the Audi R8 is running at full revs. Following the first roll-out shortly before Christmas, the open racing sportscar has undergone comprehensive testing. Impressions from the test pilots manning the 600 bhp R8 are positive. The Le Mans assault will again be run by Audi Sport Team Joest.
On 18 March, the outfit, under the direction of Head of Audi Sport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich and team boss Reinhold Joest, will be competing for the first time in 2000 at the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA). Besides the highlight of the year in Le Mans, Audi takes on another motorsport challenge this year. Audi Sport North America will tackle the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with two Audi R8 vehicles.