Audi bags first podium finish at 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship

The brand with four rings has claimed the podium finish for the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) that was held at Spa-Francorchamps motor racing circuit in Germany. The winning Audi R18 car, number '8' was the run by Audi Sport Team and was driven by Lucas di Grassi/Loïc Duval/Oliver Jarvis. Out of the six hybrid sports cars from all the manufacturers, only two cars were able to complete the race. 

At various occasions during the 6-hour race, each of the three brands was leading with a clear advantage at least once but the heat and an action-packed nature of the race took a toll on them. Lucas di Grassi had started the race who was followed by his teammate Loïc Duval, and later by Oliver Jarvis, who took over the cockpit. After several yellow periods, numerous sports penalties, accidents and technical defects in the race, the team celebrated its first combined victory. It was the first-ever winners' trophy for Di Grassi with Audi while the second for Jarvis. Duval has however won four sports car victories with Audi.

Commenting on the results of the second round of FIA WEC, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport, said “Today, the drivers, the team and the technology had to show real endurance qualities,”

“I am very happy about the first joint victory clinched by Lucas, Loïc and Oliver. Sincere congratulations on their impeccable performance.” he further added.

The second number '7' car of Audi Sport Team was driven by Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer. This car had unfortunately suffered several setbacks like underfloor damage, cleaning of air ducts, and changing of front bonnet due to minor impact to the car in front in the race. The car also faced a drive-through penalty for the incident further causing delay. In the end, the car number '7' managed to attain the overall fifth position.  

Audi has achieved 40 points in the second round of manufacturers’ classification of the 2016 FIA WEC season. The win also marked the 106th victory for Audi in Le Mans Prototype racing since its entry in the 2000 season.

Results:

1 Di Grassi/Duval/Jarvis (Audi R18) 160 laps

2 Dumas/Jani/Lieb (Porsche) –2 laps

3 Imperatori/Kraihamer/Tuscher (Rebellion) –4 laps

4 Heidfeld/Piquet/Prost (Rebellion) –5 laps

5 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18) –5 laps

6 Rossiter/Trummer/Webb (CLM-AER) –9 laps

7 Lapierre/Menezes/Richelmi (Alpine) –9 laps

8 Cumming/Dalziel/Derani (Ligier-Nissan) –9 laps

9 Bradley/Merhi/Rao (Oreca-Nissan) –9 laps

10 Albuquerque/Gonzalez/Senna (Ligier-Nissan) –9 laps