The 24 hours Le Mans is amongst the toughest endurance races and Audi has quite a name to defend with multiple previous full podium finishes in the hat. But perhaps just to make matters a bit more exciting Audi announces competing in the coming 80th Le Mans with with a total of four LMP1 sports cars. Two of the four cars in action will be equipped with hybrid drive for the first time. 

“To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans. As before, we still, however, see potential with the conventional drive – just as our colleagues do in production development. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race.”

At the 80th running of the French endurance classic, Audi competes with the start numbers ‘1’ and ‘2’ (hybrid drive) as well as ‘3’ and ‘4’. As stipulated by the regulations one driver per car is now nominated. Those drivers are André Lotterer, Allan McNish, Timo Bernhard and Oliver Jarvis.

With a successful run in hybrids Audi will not only be demonstrating its superior technology, but also the practicality of a hybrid.