Audi 2014 Annual Report Download - page 112

“The aerodynamics of the R18 were “The aerodynamics of the R18 were
developed specifically for this race.”developed specifically for this race.”
Tom KristensenTom Kristensen
The rain is causing everyone problems. The first accident The rain is causing everyone problems. The first accident
happens around : p.m. A Ferrari in the GT class rear-ends happens around : p.m. A Ferrari in the GT class rear-ends
Marco Bonanomi in the # Audi at full speed. He skids and Marco Bonanomi in the # Audi at full speed. He skids and
slams into the guardrail.slams into the guardrail.
Neither of the drivers are injured, but the # Audi and the Neither of the drivers are injured, but the # Audi and the
Ferrari are out of the race. The # Toyota, which also had an Ferrari are out of the race. The # Toyota, which also had an
accident, manages to get back to the pits. Statistically, this accident, manages to get back to the pits. Statistically, this
means the odds of victory for Audi have dropped by a third. means the odds of victory for Audi have dropped by a third.
It comes down in buckets around : p.m. All of the classes It comes down in buckets around : p.m. All of the classes
continue to race tirelessly around the track. Leading the pack continue to race tirelessly around the track. Leading the pack
are the prototypes in the LMP-H class. They leave the slower are the prototypes in the LMP-H class. They leave the slower
and smaller cars behind, and compete in their own very perand smaller cars behind, and compete in their own very per--
sonal contest on a dierent plane. It is all about lap times, resonal contest on a dierent plane. It is all about lap times, re--
cord laps and the best drive system – a matter of technological cord laps and the best drive system – a matter of technological
honor.honor.
The # Toyota has long since returned to the track The # Toyota has long since returned to the track ; the # ; the #
Porsche is leading. The LMP-H cars are using a number of Porsche is leading. The LMP-H cars are using a number of
dierent drive systems. Porsche swears by its new  hybrid dierent drive systems. Porsche swears by its new  hybrid
with a turbocharged, four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric with a turbocharged, four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric
motor motor ; Toyota by the TS hybrid with a gasoline-powered ; Toyota by the TS hybrid with a gasoline-powered
V and electric motor with innovative capacitor technology. V and electric motor with innovative capacitor technology.
And Audi is banking on the all-new R e-tron quattro with an And Audi is banking on the all-new R e-tron quattro with an
extremely fuel-ecient and progressive combination of diesel extremely fuel-ecient and progressive combination of diesel
and hybrid drive system comprising a V TDI and a motor-and hybrid drive system comprising a V TDI and a motor-
generator unit (MGU) on the front axle. This recovers energy generator unit (MGU) on the front axle. This recovers energy
during braking and converts it into electrical energy for the during braking and converts it into electrical energy for the
drive system.drive system.
The race has found its rhythm. More than , fans The race has found its rhythm. More than , fans
are celebrating their race event. By around  p.m., Audi is are celebrating their race event. By around  p.m., Audi is
entrenched among the leaders. The # Porsche is still in the entrenched among the leaders. The # Porsche is still in the
lead, followed by the # Toyota. The # Audi is in third place. lead, followed by the # Toyota. The # Audi is in third place.
Besides engine technology and teamwork, the improved aeroBesides engine technology and teamwork, the improved aero--
dynamics also play an important role when it comes to racking dynamics also play an important role when it comes to racking
up laps.up laps.
Audi remains firmly in third place with the # car. A good Audi remains firmly in third place with the # car. A good
sign after a week in which the smooth pace was marred by the sign after a week in which the smooth pace was marred by the
reconstruction of the # Audi. reconstruction of the # Audi.
The safety car comes back out onto the track after the # The safety car comes back out onto the track after the #
Nissan LMP brushes the guardrail. Racing resumes after Nissan LMP brushes the guardrail. Racing resumes after
six minutes, but a lap advantage was lost here and there.six minutes, but a lap advantage was lost here and there.
The drivers welcome the night at racing speed. While the new The drivers welcome the night at racing speed. While the new
laser lights on the Audi R e-tron quattro cut through the laser lights on the Audi R e-tron quattro cut through the
darkness with surgical precision, the race fans’ camp fires darkness with surgical precision, the race fans’ camp fires
beside the track provide a comforting contrast. It has turned beside the track provide a comforting contrast. It has turned
cool outside. It is now Sunday, shortly after midnight, and the cool outside. It is now Sunday, shortly after midnight, and the
two Audi R e-tron quattro cars – now in second and third two Audi R e-tron quattro cars – now in second and third
place – race nonchalantly past the other classes.place – race nonchalantly past the other classes.
At about  a.m. it starts getting dicult to stay awake. At about  a.m. it starts getting dicult to stay awake.
The body wants sleep, but the circumstances don’t allow for The body wants sleep, but the circumstances don’t allow for
that. Everyone has to be vigilant. Technicians, engineers that. Everyone has to be vigilant. Technicians, engineers
and drivers who are not currently in a car try to sleep. It isn’t and drivers who are not currently in a car try to sleep. It isn’t
restful, though.restful, though.
9LOST OPTIONLOST OPTION
“Suddenly we were down an Audi and therefore also a key strategic
option.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
11 DRAGDRAG
“Le Mans is so unique, we designed a special body for it.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
14 CALCULATINGCALCULATING
“Marc Gené drove very fast and steadily from the outset. Involving
him in our preparations paid o.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
13 NIGHT ADVANTAGENIGHT ADVANTAGE
“The tires worked great at those temperatures. The new laser light
improved visibility.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
12 LOST TIMELOST TIME
“You lose a lot of time to safety car phases.” Allan McNishAllan McNish
7INFORMATION ADVANTAGEINFORMATION ADVANTAGE
“We could tell from the weather radar on which sections of the track “We could tell from the weather radar on which sections of the track
it was raining. This information was radioed to the drivers.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
8UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENTUNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT
“Although Marco Bonanomi was driving carefully in a dangerous spot,
another car took him out. This was a really bitter loss.” Chris ReinChris Rein keke
10 STRESS TESTSTRESS TEST
“The great unknown was the actual relative strengths.” Chris ReinkeChris Reinke
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