Motorsport history
Audi is positioning itself as the sportiest manufacturer in the premium segment and has a perfect basis for this: motorsport. Sportiness, advanced technology and emotional design are the foundations for the success of the Audi brand. Valuable genes for this come from motor racing.
Entering the premier class of motorsport
Audi is facing what is arguably its biggest challenge in motorsport. From the 2026 season, the brand will be competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with its own works team. Development of the drive unit (“Power Unit”) is in full swing at the Neuburg an der Donau site. Thanks to open competition, Formula 1 serves as a technology driver for both electromobility and sustainable e-fuels. Photo: Showcar with Audi F1 launch livery
Milestones
Success with electric drive concepts
Sustainability does not only play an important role in the premier class of motorsport. The company began electrifying its motorsport program in endurance racing in 2012. With the first victory of a hybrid racing car at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Audi achieved a pioneering feat at the world’s most important endurance race in 2012. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro remained unbeaten three times in a row at Le Mans in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Many other innovations such as the Audi laser light complement the pioneering technical achievements. Drivers and manufacturers titles with the hybrid sports car in the 2012 and 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) complete the Audi sports car era, which ended in 2016. Following the LMP program with the R18 hybrid sports car, Audi was the first German car manufacturer to compete in the all-electric Formula E racing series in the 2017/2018 season. With four victories and a total of eleven podium finishes, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler clinched the team championship after twelve races. Things continued to go electric after that: the brand with the four rings competed in the famous Dakar Rally from 2022 with an innovative prototype.
Young classics from Audi Sport racing legends for an exclusive clientele
Sale of exclusive racing cars from Le Mans and DTM International customers can become part of Audi Sport Exclusive support beyond delivery
Audi Sport is breaking new ground: for the first time in history, LMP and DTM prototypes from the former factory racing programs are available for purchase as exclusive objects in drivable condition. The newly created Audi Sport racing legends project team is building up these fascinating prototypes with manufacturer expertise for a select circle of collectors. Following the program presentation on April 2 in Neuburg an der Donau, Audi Sport will present itself at three international classic car events in Germany, France and Great Britain. The first example is to be handed over in the middle of the year.
Audi Sport makes dreams come true: Lovers of prototypes from the brand’s earlier factory programs can now fulfill unique wishes under the sign of the four rings. They not only become owners, but also part of one of Audi Sport’s most successful eras by purchasing an original chassis. “We are rebuilding these chassis together with reconditioned parts from that time into racing cars according to strict standards and with a high level of expertise,” says Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “In some cases, even the developers from that era are involved in the current projects. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the RS 5 DTM are two of the fastest racing cars we have ever built. Customers can look forward not only to extremely sought-after racing cars, but also to a firework display of driving emotions. Our customers become part of a select circle, benefit from our motorsport expertise and receive comprehensive support.” Audi has clinched victories at Le Mans and championship titles in the DTM with these types of racing cars. The winning examples from this era remain in AUDI AG’s vehicle collection – looked after, kept running and used at events by Audi Tradition.
History
1873 Christian Schmidt and Heinrich Stoll establish a workshop for the production of knitting machines in Riedlingen on the Danube. 1880 The company relocates to Neckarsulm 1886 Bicycle production begins 1900 Motorcycle production begins 1906 Production of automobiles begins (“Original Neckarsulmer Motorwagen”) 1928 Automobile production ends and the factory in Heilbronn is sold 1933 Ferdinand Porsche commissioned to build the NSU/Porsche Type 32, the VW Beetle’s predecessor 1945 Part of the plant is destroyed in World War II; production gradually resumes beginning in mid-1945 1955 NSU Werke AG is the world’s largest motorcycle plant 1958 Automobile production resumes with the NSU Prinz I to III 1964 Production of the NSU/Wankel Spider, the world’s first production car with a rotary piston engine, begins 1967 Series production of the NSU Ro 80 begins; due to its futuristic design and rotary piston engine, it is voted “1968 Car of the Year” 1969 Merger with Auto Union GmbH Ingolstadt to become Audi NSU Auto Union AG; the majority shareholder is Volkswagen AG 1974/75 The site is threatened with closure during the oil crisis.
Audi Tradition - Anniversary Dates 2025
Anniversary Dates 2025 Audi Tradition 2 Anniversary Dates 2025 Contents Anniversaries in Our Corporate History May 2000 25 years Market Launch of the Audi allroad quattro ....5 June 2000 25 years Sales Launch of the Audi RS 4 B5 ...............6 June 2000 25 years Market Launch of the Audi A2 ..................... 7 December 2000 25 years Audi museum mobile Ingolstadt ................9 March 1990 35 years Presentation Audi duo .............................10 September 1990 35 years First Appearance Audi Coupé S2...............11 January 1985 40 years Renaming of Audi NSU Auto Union AG to AUDI AG ..........................................................12 Autum 1985 40 years Audi Introduces Fully Galvanized Bodies in Mass Production ...............................................13 February 1980 45 years Audi 200 5T – Audi’s First Turbocharged Petrol Engine .......................................................14 Oktober 1975 50 years Audi 80 GTE ...........................................15 End of 1975 50 years Start of Porsche 924 Production in Neckarsulm ......................................................16 Oktober 1970 55 years Market Launch of the Audi 100 Coupé S ....17 September 1965 60 years Reintroduction of the Audi Brand ..............18 1965 60 years NSU Prinz 1000 TT and NSU Typ 110 ........ 20 September 1955 70 years Large DKW 3=6 ....................................... 22 Audi Tradition 3 Anniversary Dates 2025 End of 1955 70 years DKW Plastic Bodies .................................. 23 August 1950 75 years First DKW Passenger Car After the War ..... 25 December 1945 80 years Establishment of the Central Depot for Auto Union Spare Parts in Ingolstadt ................ 26 February 1935 90 years Introduction of the Horch 850 Series ........ 27 February 1935 90 years Roadster Models of 1935......................... 28 Audi Tradition 4 Anniversary Dates 2025 Contents Motorsport 2000 25 years Audi’s First Victory at Le Mans .................. 30 1990 35
Audi’s most important motorsport successes
China GT Championship (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Circuit Hero One (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner DMV GTC Dunlop 60 (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Eset V4 Cup (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Eset V4 Cup Endurance (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner FFSA GT4 France Pro-Am (Audi R8 LMS GT4) Winner FIA CEZ (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner FIA CEZ Endurance (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner GT4 European Series Silver (Audi R8 LMS GT4) Winner GT Masters Asia (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner GT Sweden (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge TCR (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner New Zealand Endurance Championship (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner Pirelli World Challenge GTS (Audi R8 LMS GT4) Winner Pirelli World Challenge GTS Sprint (Audi R8 LMS GT4) Winner Pirelli World Challenge GTS SprintX (Audi R8 LMS GT4) Winner South Island Endurance Series Three Hour (Audi R8 LMS GT3) Winner TCR Benelux (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR Russia (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships Sports Cars (Audi R8 LMS GT3) 2017 Winner Drivers, Manufacturers and Teams classification DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM) Winner Nürburgring 24 Hours (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Spa 24 Hours (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Australian GT (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Canarian Hill Climb Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner China GT Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner DMV GTC (Audi R8 LMS) Winner DMV GTC Dunlop 60 (Audi R8 LMS) Winner FIA European Hillclimb Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Intercontinental GT Challenge (Audi R8 LMS) Winner North Island Endurance Series Three Hour (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Saudi GT (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Three Hour Endurance Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships Sports Cars (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Pirelli World Challenge TC (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR China (Audi RS 3 LMS) Winner TCR Russia (Audi RS 3 LMS) 2016 3rd in Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) Winner Manufacturers and Teams classification DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM) Winner Drivers and Manufacturers Classification
Audi Sport mourns the loss of Dieter Basche
The Audi Sport family is mourning the loss of Dieter Basche: the former Head of Audi Motorsport has died at the age of 88. Basche was an engineer at Audi Sport from the very beginning. Iconic rally and racing cars such as the Audi Sport quattro S1, the Audi 90 quattro IMSA-GTO and the Audi V8 quattro for the DTM bear his signature. Basche remained closely associated with the brand with the four rings even after his retirement. “Audi owes many victories and championship titles to Dieter Basche. He was a brilliant technician, but above all a great person and extremely popular at the Audi Sport alumni reunions,” said Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “Audi was in his heart. We will miss him.”
Successes spanning more than a century
The success story of AUDI AG in motorsport Victories and titles since the beginning of the last century
Audi is positioning itself as the sportiest manufacturer in the premium segment and has a perfect basis for this: motorsport. Sportiness, advanced technology and emotional design are the foundations for the success of the Audi brand. Valuable genes for this come from motor racing.
Entering the premier class of motorsport Audi is facing what is arguably its biggest challenge in motorsport. From the 2026 season, the brand will be competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with its own works team. Development of the drive unit (“Power Unit”) is in full swing at the Neuburg an der Donau site. Thanks to open competition, Formula 1 serves as a technology driver for both electromobility and sustainable e-fuels. Success with electric drive concepts Sustainability does not only play an important role in the premier class of motorsport. The company began electrifying its motorsport program in endurance racing in 2012. With the first victory of a hybrid racing car at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Audi achieved a pioneering feat at the world’s most important endurance race in 2012. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro remained unbeaten three times in a row at Le Mans in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Many other innovations such as the Audi laser light complement the pioneering technical achievements. Drivers and manufacturers titles with the hybrid sports car in the 2012 and 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) complete the Audi sports car era, which ended in 2016. Following the LMP program with the R18 hybrid sports car, Audi was the first German car manufacturer to compete in the all-electric Formula E racing series in the 2017/2018 season. With four victories and a total of eleven podium finishes, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler clinched the team championship after twelve races.
Audi says: “Thank you, Mattias Ekström!”
Most versatile motorsport driver says goodbye to Audi Exceptional career with the four rings with successes in DTM, GT3, Rallycross and Dakar
23 years ago, Mattias Ekström competed in the DTM as an Audi factory driver for the first time. Now he is finally saying “Adjö” to the four rings in his native Swedish. The exceptional sportsman, who always stood by his opinions and was therefore also able to polarize, was a first-class ambassador for Audi: two-time DTM champion, rallycross world champion, Spa 24 Hour race winner, Dakar stage winner and conqueror of the legendary Streif downhill ski run – uphill in an all-electric Audi e-tron technology demonstrator.
Emotions, memories and lots of autographs: This was Mattias Ekström’s farewell to Audi in Ingolstadt on September 26 – the brand with which he celebrated the greatest successes in his outstanding motorsport career. Many motorsport fans from the Audi workforce and Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, attended the farewell on the factory premises. “We owe Mattias an immense amount, and in turn we have helped him to the greatest successes of his career,” said Michl, who led the brand’s Dakar program to success this year as Head of Motorsport. “To this day, I am impressed not only by his continuous performance but also by his excellent team spirit. Mattias has never concentrated solely on racing. He has always helped to drive projects forward, support our developers and promote the teams he has worked with. With these qualities and his series of successes, he is a great role model for many international talents in motorsport. We wish him all the best for his future career.” Ekström was not even an Audi factory driver when he won his first title with Audi in his native Sweden in 1999 at the age of 21 – as a private driver in the A4 quattro in the Swedish Touring Car Championship. Two years later, Ekström had a contract with Audi and contested his first season in the DTM.