The long-awaited showdown between the new cars from Audi and Peugeot at the 12 Hours of Sebring was not to be, Audi having decided to run the R15 for the last time. Although not race ready in time, the new R18 is at Sebring, and then some!

Audi, who are contesting the entire 2011 season of ILMC, chose to bring the old car, adapted to the ACO 2011 rules, to Florida. But the 'sunshine state' is currently the team headquarters of the German manufacturer to avoid the vagaries European weather. In 2009, the development of the R15 was disrupted by rain and cold winter - one of the drivers even confessed he had never driven a lap in the dry before the first race at Sebring. Audi has learned the lesson with the R18. The whole team is therefore making the round trip between the circuits of Sebring and Homestead, south of Miami.

These tests should help to put in the miles to reap as much information as possible, but also work on the set up of the cars with a clear objective, like Peugeot's, to bring home victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new prototype is "a good compromise between speed and ease of servicing", said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport. "It is important to make repairs in one or two laps without compromising the race. Longer interventions, with this level of competition, are now impossible."

On the choice of a closed prototype: "The R15 had a hard life because it was an open car. When it made its debut, it was already clear that closed cars had an advantage with the regulations, hence the choice of a closed car for R18, " said Dr Ullrich. This is a 180 degree turn in strategy for the Ingolstadt manufacturer, smarting from the unhappy experience of the Le Mans 24 hours 1999. To prepare for its arrival in endurance racing, Audi fielded four cars that year: two open and two closed. Both open cars crossed the finish line 3rd and 4th overall, the two coupés dropped out after a poor performance: the times were light years away from the sister cars. The choice had been simple and Audi had remained faithful to the open top since then.

When Romain Dumas was asked about the main difference between open and closed prototypes, the answer was "visibility". The mileage this week in Florida should allow ten drivers - the nine race drivers and substitute Marco Bonanomi - to familiarize themselves with their new environment and take their bearings, especially as the days of testing are without major problems with many endurance sessions.

Audi already know about the performance level of the new Peugeot 908 after Sebring, the French manufacturer will have to wait until the first European race of ILMC at Spa in May to discover the power of their adversary, unless perhaps the test day preliminary to 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 24^th April will lift the veil.

Meanwhile, the R15 chassis takes its place in the museum in Ingolstadt, a well-deserved retirement. Goodbye R15, hello R18!

Cecile Bonardel

Photo: 31^st January 2011. Audi testing the R18 with the R15 + setting the benchmark.