Audi Competes with Hybrid Vehicles in Bahrain for FIA World Endurance Championship

Introduction

Ingolstadt, September 23, 2012 – In the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the two Audi driver line-ups are fighting a thrilling battle for the title. As of the sixth of the season’s eight rounds in Bahrain on September 29, a new strategy will guarantee absolute equality of opportunity. Audi will start to compete with two hybrid vehicles to set the agenda for the future.

Comments from Audi Motorsport

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport) stated: “We decided to compete with two hybrid vehicles in Bahrain. Our analysis has shown that we’ve got an advantage in traffic with the R18 e-tron quattro. It makes it easier for our drivers to overtake other vehicles. This means that with two hybrid vehicles we’re in a better position in the battle with Toyota. At the same time, we’re giving both our driver teams identical material in the battle for the title. Bahrain will be a completely different race than the previous rounds. We’re expecting very high temperatures. Unlike the most recent round in Brazil, Bahrain also takes a high toll on the brakes, which require good cooling. Handling the tires will be crucial too.”

Vehicle Concepts

Audi entered the 2012 endurance racing season with two different vehicle concepts:

• Audi R18 ultra: Utilizes the full potential of a conventionally powered LMP sports car with a TDI engine.
• R18 e-tron quattro: Audi’s first hybrid race car that signifies a new era.

Both concepts have demonstrated their strengths on various occasions. The R18 e-tron quattro made history by achieving the first victory of a hybrid vehicle at the Le Mans 24 Hours and subsequently won the 6-hour race at Silverstone. Meanwhile, the R18 ultra scored a debut victory at Spa. With the better grid position and fastest race lap by Lucas di Grassi at the fifth round in Brazil, the conventionally powered TDI sports car proved its potential through to the most recent event.

Driver Standings

Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, and Benoît Tréluyer, after scoring two victories this season in the number “1” R18 e-tron quattro, are leading the WEC drivers’ standings. With 78 points yet to be awarded, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish trail by only 7.5 points. The Danish-Scottish driver duo of car number “2” is returning to hybrid drive in Bahrain after having run twice before in the R18 e-tron quattro at Spa and Le Mans.

Team Challenges

For Audi Sport Team Joest, this involves a challenging task, which is made considerably easier thanks to Audi’s uncompromising commitment to the shared components principle. After transporting the race cars from South America, the number “2” Audi R18 will be converted from a conventional to a hybrid drive, and the body will receive completely new graphics. The track in the island state is new territory for the Audi factory drivers and Audi Sport Team Joest.

Race Schedule

The sixth race of the season is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time, taking place mostly during hours of darkness.

Coverage for Spectators

Like at all WEC rounds, Audi is offering comprehensive coverage to the spectators at home. Visit www.audi-liveracing.com to watch the race online for six hours, with cockpit camera perspectives and summary reports available. The Audi Sport apps for iPhone and Android provide WEC coverage on smartphones with live tickers, news, pictures, and results. In addition, Audi’s racing fan community is kept up to speed on Facebook and Twitter.

WEC Standings

Drivers’ Standings After 5 of 8 Rounds

1. Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer - 114.5 points
2. Kristensen/McNish - 107 points
3. Capello - 77 points
4. Dumas/Duval - 67 points
5. Jani/Prost - 62.5 points

Manufacturers’ Standings After 5 of 8 Rounds

1. Audi - 147 points
2. Toyota - 44 points

Schedule Overview (Local Times; CEST +1 Hour)

• Thursday, September 27
  • 16:00–17:30 Free practice 1
  • 20:30–22:00 Free practice 2
• Friday, September 28
  • 10:50–11:50 Free practice 3
  • 16:30–16:50 Qualifying LMP1 & LMP2
• Saturday, September 29
  • 12:25–12:45 Warm-up
  • 16:00–22:00 Race
  • 22:15 FIA WEC press conference

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