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The second Audi Sport Team WRT Audi driven by Christer Jöns/Pierre Kaffer/Nicki Thiim/Laurens Vanthoor lost 26 minutes owing to front end repairs after Pierre Kaffer hit the back of another competitor. After six hours, it was 32nd. Meanwhile, the fastest Audi R8 LMS ultra improved from 33rd on the grid to 22nd position, the number 15 being driven by the all-Asian line up of Audi race experience. Twin Busch Motorsport followed right behind in another R8 LMS ultra. Rod Salmon, in the second Audi race experience car, collided with an opponent in the sixth hour of the race. The team is currently changing suspension and body work parts.

As a rallycross team boss, I’m delighted about the RX supercars being allowed to race in front of such a great crowd at the Hockenheim Motodrom. As a DTM driver, I’m delighted about the DTM opener becoming even more interesting as a whole and that additional fans will be traveling to Hockenheim. It’s a win-win situation for both – the DTM and the World RX. But the fans are the true winners. What can the spectators look forward to on the first weekend in May? To two of the best racing series that currently exist in the world, with fascinating race cars such as the Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM and our Audi S1 EKS RX quattro – currently the only Audi in motorsport with conventional quattro drive. In addition, there’ll be the inaugural event of the new Audi Sport TT Cup. It’ll be a unique opportunity to experience all this on a single weekend not to be missed by any fan. I’m sure that the best tickets for the DTM festival will quickly be sold. The DTM had a long winter break. Now the action will soon be starting again, with testing scheduled at Portimão (Portugal) for the beginning of March. Are you looking forward to sitting in the DTM cockpit again? As long as there’s still snow on the ground here I’m still finding a bit difficult to think about a DTM race. But the upcoming track tests are sending a clear signal that we’ll be starting again soon. And that’s good. The new DTM season with its new format and the additional races promises plenty of suspense. You’ll be competing in car #5 in the DTM this year – that’s the number you clinched your first title with in 2004. A good omen? Yes, but not just because of that. I generally like the number ‘5’ because a lot of things in life have to do with ‘5.’ Will you be competing with ‘5’ in the Rallycross World Championship as well? The plans for my private team, EKS, have not been completed yet. We’re still looking for partners to support us. Our aim is to compete in the full World Championship.

At 12.00, car number ‘7’ had a two-lap deficit to the front runner. The two other Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars made unscheduled pit stops. On the #8 R18, the engine cover was exchanged and fixed. The time loss amounted to a little more than two minutes. On the #9 R18 that had been in third place for a long time, a lengthier repair in the area of the front suspension began at 11.56, which had not been completed yet on the full hour. Positions after 21 hours: 1 Porsche #19 2 Porsche #17 3 Audi #7 4 Audi #9 5 Audi #8 6 Porsche #18

Following a defect on the front right-hand brake disc that led to further damage, the the front right-hand quarter suspension of the #8 Audi R18 had to be changed as well. In spite of a time loss of 39 minutes and 24 seconds Oliver Jarvis maintained fourth position in front of the #7 sister car. As a precaution, the two front brake discs were changed on the #7 Audi R18. The time lost in the pits was only 9 minutes and 29 seconds. Benoît Tréluyer resumed the race in position five. Positions after 21 hours: 1 Toyota #5 2 Porsche #2 3 Toyota #6 4 Audi #8 5 Audi #7

Now, we need to keep pushing and trying to regularly be in contention at the front as best we can. How difficult was the race? There was no time for a breather. I had to try to overtake Tom (Blomqvist), to keep him at bay and, ideally, to get him out of the DRS window and it also worked out that way. Then the safety car period added a bit more suspense. But, fortunately, I stayed in control of that too and, as a result – I feel – I’ve clinched a deserved victory. What were your emotions after seeing the checkered flag and mounting the podium? Really cool. Managing this in Audi’s home race and relatively early in the season, is simply an awesome feeling. A large part of this success belongs to my team as well. They did a superb job today. The strategy was right and the pit stop fantastic. In the end, that was also the key to success. So, thank you to Audi and to Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline! How many congratulations did you receive on your smartphone after this victory? It’s still ringing the whole time. I can’t even read all the messages right now. I look forward to that at the airport tomorrow, if I should be able to read again then ... Was there a message you particularly enjoyed? Yes, from Keke Rosberg! I had the opportunity to meet him because I was racing for him and Arno (Zensen) the past two years. We always had a top relationship. I think it’s great that we’re still in touch and that he’s able to feel happy for me following my switch to another team.

Eleven days before the only round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Germany at the Nürburgring, suspense is rising. Audi driver Marcel Fässler responded to questions by interested local media and motorsport journalists at a press conference hosted by the organizer in Cologne on Wednesday. In front of the near-100 meter tall “Kölntriangle” tower, a large crowd of WEC fans and photographers were pleased about the Audi R18 as a photo subject. “I’m already excited. A year ago, we had 62,000 spectators,” said Fässler. “I’m hoping for just as many fans turning out at the race track and rooting for us again this year.” On July 24, at 13:00, the battle for victory in the 6 Hours of Nürburgring will start.

The two-seater is equipped with a 221-kW (300-hp) twin-turbo V6 TDI at the rear axle and two electric motors producing a total of 64 kW at the front axle. The Audi e-tron Spyder’s low total weight of only around 1,450 kilograms (3,196.70 lb) combined with the high-torque TDI and the two electric motors results in respectable performance. The car accelerates to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.4 seconds, and top speed is electronically governed at 250 km/h (155.34 mph). The e-tron Spyder can combine the powerful torque of its TDI – the diesel engine generates 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) and the total of 352 Nm (259.62 lb-ft) of its two electric motors during acceleration in a process known as “boosting.” The intelligent distribution of power allows for optimal dynamics in every situation. The targeted application of power to the front wheels improves longitudinal dynamics while also improving lateral dynamics when cornering. This is because torque vectoring – the as-needed distribution of torque between the left and right wheels of the two axles – enables an exhilarating degree of driving precision and excellent agility. Thanks also to its low weight, short wheelbase and perfect 50:50 weight distribution for dynamic handling, the Audi e-tron Spyder has all the drivability of a go-kart – good on bends and neutral right up to the very high handling limit. The combination of a highly efficient TDI and electric drive also provides for excellent fuel economy and amazingly low emissions. The Audi e-tron Spyder requires on average just 2.2l diesel/100 km (106.92 US mpg), corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 59 g/km (94.95 g/mile). A range of more than 1,000 kilometers is possible with the 50-liter (13.21 US gallons) tank. The open sports car can also drive strictly on electric power and thus with zero emissions over distances of up to 50 kilometers (31.07 miles), such as in urban areas. The top speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph) is just fine for normal driving.