24h Le Mans
Our review of 2016 wouldn’t be complete without Audi. The year saw the famous marque that has dominated endurance racing for the past 18 years announce its withdrawal from the discipline. The news came as a blow and the paddock will sorely miss the team led by the exacting, good-natured and charismatic Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.
Audi is known for efficiency, smooth running and unrivalled technical expertise. A glance at the team’s record is enough to confirm that the reputation is well-deserved. For now, the Audi story draws to a close. But it’s surely not the end of the road.
It’s not easy to sum up an 18-year reign, so here are just a few facts and figures.
15 - The number of Audi drivers to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans: Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen, Emmanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto, Dindo Capello, Seiji Ara, Allan McNish, Marco Werner, Romain Dumas, Timo Bernhard, Mike Rockenfeller, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer and Loïc Duval.
11 - The number of Audi drivers to have won their first Le Mans with Audi: Frank Biela, Emmanuele Pirro, Seiji Ara, Marco Werner, Romain Dumas, Timo Bernhard, Mike Rockenfeller, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer and Loïc Duval.
7 out of 9 - Tom Kristensen broke Jacky Ickx’s record for the number of Le Mans 24 hours’ victories in 2005 in the Audi R8. Seven of his nine wins were with Audi.
2 out of 4 - Of the four crews to have won the the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times, two are Audi: Frank Biela-Tom Kristensen-Emanuele Pirro (in 2000, 2001 et 2002) and Marcel Fässler-André Lotterer-Benoît Tréluyer (in 2011, 2012 and 2014). Before them, Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill won in 1958, 1961 and 1962 while Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell were victorious in 1975, 1981 and 1982.
4 drivers, 2 records - In 2010, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller won the race in the R15 Plus, and set a new record for the longest distance covered: 5 410.713 kilometres, averaging 225 kph. The previous record was held by 1971-winners Gijs van Lennep and Helmut Marko with the Porsche 917. In 2015, André Lotterer completed the fastest lap of all time, in 3:17.475, averaging 248 kph with the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.
18 out of 18 - In 18 years, from 1999 to 2016, there has always been at least one Audi on the podium of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team claimed 13 victories. That record will take some beating!
Photo: Loïc Duval, Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Jarvis took the last two wins for Audi (Spa-Francorchamps and Bahrain) in the R18.
