Audi 2014 Annual Report Download - page 109

Sarthe. It loses its homogeneity after the warmup lap. The forSarthe. It loses its homogeneity after the warmup lap. The for--
mation breaks apart. This is known in racing as a “flying start.” mation breaks apart. This is known in racing as a “flying start.”
At : p.m., the engines ratchet up and the speed turns exAt : p.m., the engines ratchet up and the speed turns ex--
tremely fast. The drivers attack,  hours long. This scenario tremely fast. The drivers attack,  hours long. This scenario
gets the adrenaline flowing both on and o the track.  race gets the adrenaline flowing both on and o the track.  race
cars are competing in six dierent vehicle classes for the cars are competing in six dierent vehicle classes for the
highest number of laps. The three Audi R e-tron quattro cars highest number of laps. The three Audi R e-tron quattro cars
with the numbers ,  and  are competing with Porsche and with the numbers ,  and  are competing with Porsche and
Toyota in the LMP-H prototype class – the premier class Toyota in the LMP-H prototype class – the premier class
in endurance racing.in endurance racing.
André Lotterer sits behind the wheel of #, fights his way André Lotterer sits behind the wheel of #, fights his way
to nd place and takes up the pursuit of the # Toyota. The # to nd place and takes up the pursuit of the # Toyota. The #
Audi is also in good position. No one expected it would even Audi is also in good position. No one expected it would even
be driving today after Wednesday’s practice session delivered be driving today after Wednesday’s practice session delivered
a huge shock a huge shock : Driver Loïc Duval lost control of his Audi R : Driver Loïc Duval lost control of his Audi R
e-tron quattro while driving at over  kilometers per hour e-tron quattro while driving at over  kilometers per hour
and crashed into the barrier lining the track.and crashed into the barrier lining the track.
Reliable as Swiss clockwork, the engineers and technicians Reliable as Swiss clockwork, the engineers and technicians
worked through the night to completely rebuild the # Audi worked through the night to completely rebuild the # Audi
R e-tron quattro. A laborious and nerve-wracking exercise R e-tron quattro. A laborious and nerve-wracking exercise
under almost unimaginable pressure. But they succeeded – a under almost unimaginable pressure. But they succeeded – a
virtual miracle virtual miracle ! Marc Gené replaced Duval behind the wheel. ! Marc Gené replaced Duval behind the wheel.
At : p.m., the # Toyota is in the lead. André Lotterer in At : p.m., the # Toyota is in the lead. André Lotterer in
the # Audi is in second. Le Mans demands everything from the # Audi is in second. Le Mans demands everything from
the drivers and teams. To take the checkered flag, you have the drivers and teams. To take the checkered flag, you have
to have the best strategy mix. Proper pit stop timing is one to have the best strategy mix. Proper pit stop timing is one
element of this.element of this.
At : p.m., a heavy rain shower causes chaos on the track At : p.m., a heavy rain shower causes chaos on the track
and triggers the first safety car phase. The Audi team reacts and triggers the first safety car phase. The Audi team reacts
immediately and quickly changes tires. immediately and quickly changes tires.
Audi is in one of its toughest races. Porsche is returning after Audi is in one of its toughest races. Porsche is returning after
 years, Toyota has improved and Audi itself had to overcome  years, Toyota has improved and Audi itself had to overcome
several hurdles during the preparation phase. One thing is several hurdles during the preparation phase. One thing is
settled after qualifying settled after qualifying : The three R e-tron quattro* cars : The three R e-tron quattro* cars
entered at Le Mans will be starting from positions five, six and entered at Le Mans will be starting from positions five, six and
seven. And they will be racing according to the new FIA rules seven. And they will be racing according to the new FIA rules
that put the focus on vehicle eciency, which aside from the that put the focus on vehicle eciency, which aside from the
aerodynamics, has the greatest eect on fuel consumption. For aerodynamics, has the greatest eect on fuel consumption. For
the manufacturers, this meant a free choice of engines – with the manufacturers, this meant a free choice of engines – with
conditions. The object is to drive as fast and as far as possible conditions. The object is to drive as fast and as far as possible
on a limited amount of fuel. The  race marked the first on a limited amount of fuel. The  race marked the first
time that the manufacturers competed against one another time that the manufacturers competed against one another
with a variety of hybrid drive solutions. with a variety of hybrid drive solutions.
Saturday, : p.m. Last meeting for Audi. Head of Motorsport Saturday, : p.m. Last meeting for Audi. Head of Motorsport
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich prepares the team for a hard contest. Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich prepares the team for a hard contest.
Drivers, technicians, engineers – everyone is extremely tense, Drivers, technicians, engineers – everyone is extremely tense,
expectations weigh heavily. They have  legendary victories expectations weigh heavily. They have  legendary victories
behind them. Before them is the uncertainty of what will hapbehind them. Before them is the uncertainty of what will hap--
pen in the next  hours, because everything is dierent pen in the next  hours, because everything is dierent
this year, yet fans and the media nevertheless expect Audi to this year, yet fans and the media nevertheless expect Audi to
extend its winning streak.extend its winning streak.
Chris Reinke appeals to team spirit and the will to win, and is Chris Reinke appeals to team spirit and the will to win, and is
banking on the race strategy. The drivers are motivated. André banking on the race strategy. The drivers are motivated. André
Lotterer acknowledges the tight bond among the race drivers. Lotterer acknowledges the tight bond among the race drivers.
“We three drivers came to Audi Sport at the same time, be“We three drivers came to Audi Sport at the same time, be--
came close and are now best friends. It is an honor to drive with came close and are now best friends. It is an honor to drive with
Marcel and Benoît.” Lucas di Grassi is also looking forward Marcel and Benoît.” Lucas di Grassi is also looking forward
to the race with his colleagues Tom Kristensen and Marc Gené. to the race with his colleagues Tom Kristensen and Marc Gené.
“Now I’m going into the race with two very experienced team-“Now I’m going into the race with two very experienced team-
mates.”mates.”
Saturday,  p.m. The starting light switches to green. Promptly, Saturday,  p.m. The starting light switches to green. Promptly,
the field of supercars roars en masse over the Circuit de la the field of supercars roars en masse over the Circuit de la
* * Audi Sport Team Joest – Le Mans 2014 Audi Sport Team Joest – Le Mans 2014
#1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro : Marc Gené (ES) for Loïc Duval (F), Lucas di Grassi (BR), Tom Kristensen (DK) ; starting position seven. ; starting position seven.
#2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro : Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D), Benoît Tréluyer (F) : Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D), Benoît Tréluyer (F) ; starting position six. ; starting position six.
#3 Audi R18 e-tron quattro : Filipe Albuquerque (PT), Marco Bonanomi (IT ), Oliver Jarvis (GB) ; starting position five.
“The game was the same, “The game was the same,
but the rules were new.”but the rules were new.”
Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
PHOTOS : PHOTOS : AUDI AGAUDI AG
1FUEL EFFICIENCYFUEL EFFICIENCY
“The drivers had to conserve fuel. We were 22 percent more ecient
than in 2013.” than in 2013.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
2EXPECTATIONSEXPECTATIONS
“The entire industry turned its eyes to Le Mans. You could feel the
interest everywhere.” Allan McNish Allan McNish
3SUCCESS FACTORSSUCCESS FACTORS
“We are concentrating on something that counts now more than
ever ever : good teamwork and ecient pit stops.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
4PROBLEMPROBLEM
“Loïc Duval fortunately had only minor injuries, but the car was
completely destroyed.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
5TIME PRESSURETIME PRESSURE
“For the mechanics, the race began before the race.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
6PIT STOP STRATEGYPIT STOP STRATEGY
“Our #1 Audi pitted early during the first hour to prevent all three
Audi cars from pitting at the same time.” Tom KristensenTom Kristensen