Second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (5th May) will see the debut of both new Audi R18; the e-tron quattro and R18 ultra. A double first, and also a dual purpose: the best result in the Belgian Ardennes, and the best preparation for the 80th Le Mans 24 Hours (June 16th and 17th).

Two of each of these cars are expected in the Belgian Ardennes.

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "Like last year, Spa will be a ‘dress rehearsal’ for us for the Le Mans 24 Hours. We’d been planning to compete there with exactly the same teams as at Le Mans, in other words with all four vehicles and the squads assigned to them. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to completely follow our plan with respect to the drivers. Mike Rockenfeller is not available because he’ll be running in the DTM at the Lausitzring. And Timo Bernhard isn’t completely fit yet after his accident at Sebring. That’s why we’re giving reserve driver Marc Gené the chance to contest a race. He’ll be driving together with Romain Dumas and Loïc Duval in order to get used to the vehicle and to gel with the squad in case we should be using him at the Le Mans 24 Hours. We’re firmly assuming that Timo Bernhard will be in perfect shape to run again at Le Mans. For Marco Bonanomi and Oliver Jarvis, Spa has the positive effect that as a team of two they have the chance of driving more race kilometers than the teams of three drivers. So, Spa is an important premiere for them - just like it is for our two car models, the R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra."

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): "Spa is one of my favorite tracks, which gives me a positive feeling. Plus, running in the R18 e-tron quattro this year is very special anyway. It’ll no doubt be a great experience."

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): "At Spa we’ll be driving the e-tron quattro for the first time. I’m very confident because I thought the car was really superb in the track tests. I can hardly wait to go to Spa. It’s a special track for me where I spent a lot of time even as a child and teenager."

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): "This is a very important debut for the R18 e-tron Quattro because for the first time we’ll see where we stand with the hybrid compared to the competition. I really like my R18 e-tron quattro. Hybrid drive simply gives you an interesting sensation at the wheel."

Dindo Capello (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): "Now I’m experiencing another debut with Audi, and for the first time in a world championship. In the past, Audi was the first manufacturer to be victorious with a diesel, so the second WEC round is an important race. Audi wants to start a new chapter in motorsport history, and Spa is exactly the right track for it."

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): "Looking back, the Audi’s premieres were always fantastic, from the R8 and R10 TDI through to the R15 TDI. Now it’s the R18 e-tron quattro’s turn. Allan, Dindo and I are travelling to the second race as the championship leaders after giving the Audi R18 TDI at Sebring a superb farewell."

Allan McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): "My adrenaline level has already begun to rise. You really start to understand the advantages of a new car only in a racing situation with respective weather and in the battle with other competitors. The technology is brand new but we’ve got a good base. Spa perfectly suits my driving style, but I’m still waiting for my first victory there."

Romain Dumas (Audi R18 ultra #3): "At Spa, I’ll be running with a new team-mate. At Sebring, we saw that Timo (Bernhard) and I quickly started to work together really well with newcomer Loïc. I’m sure that’ll work out equally well with Marc . He has a lot of experience in sports prototype racing and is intimately familiar with Spa. It’s a shame that Timo isn’t able to run but under these circumstances Marc is no doubt the best possible replacement."

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 ultra #3): "I came to highly respect Marc as a driver in the past. He’s joined the squad as a solid team player. For the first WEC race in Europe, I’m wishing for the event to go as well as the premiere at Sebring did. Obviously, it would be great to see all three Audi driver teams on the podium. But it’s primarily an important race in preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours."

Marc Gené (Audi R18 ultra #3): "For me, this is an honor and I’m delighted to be competing for one of the most successful brands in history, Audi. And Spa is one of my favorite tracks. I immediately received a warm welcome. I’m hoping to be able to return as much as I’ve been receiving."

Marco Bonanomi (Audi R18 ultra #4): "Finally, I’m experiencing my racing debut in a sports prototype. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a year and a half. This is an important point in my career and I’m making this debut on one of my favorite tracks. I was on the grid on this track in Belgium in Formula 3000 and the World Series, and finished on the podium several times. So, I know the track well."

Oliver Jarvis (Audi R18 ultra #4): "I’ve been looking forward to my first run as an Audi factory driver in the R18 ultra at Spa for a long time. We’ve got a new car and I’m forming a new driver team with Marco. At Le Mans, we’ll be joined by Mike (Rockenfeller). It’s a good opportunity for the whole driver squad to grow together. We obviously want to battle for a podium place but as a relatively new member of the sports car family I know that I’ve still got a lot to learn."

(Source: Audi Motorsport press release)

Photo : Audi R18 ultra (left, of Bonanomi/Jarvis) and R18 e-tron quattro (right, of Capello/Kristensen/McNish) make their compétition debuts at Spa-Francorchamps, in preparation for the 80th Le Mans 24 hours.