The R18 TDI is a milestone in the history of Audi in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. If it remains faithful to the turbo diesel technology, launched in 2006 with the R10, but the R18 has an enclosed cockpit, a first since the 1999 24 Hours, where Audi raced both a closed car (R8C) and open (R8R). In 2011, the R18 had an eventful 24 Hours with the two big accidents of Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller, who both got out miraculously unscathed. But Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer responded in the remaining R18 and began the chase on Sunday morning during the final eight hours up to the chequered flag, which they passed just thirteen seconds ahead of the Peugeot 908 of Sébastien Bourdais, Pedro Lamy and Simon Pagenaud. The Audi R18 passed Ferrari's score with a tenth victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and wrote a new page of history in 2012 with the R18 e-tron quattro, the first hybrid prototype winner in La Sarthe.

Year : 79th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (11th & 12th June 2011)
Number of cars entered : Three
Technical Information :
3.7 litre turbo diesel V6
Drivers :
Timo Bernhard-Romain Dumas-Mike Rockenfeller (n°1)
Marcel Fässler-André Lotterer-Benoît Tréluyer (n°2)
Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Allan McNish (n°3)
Results :
1st (Marcel Fässler-André Lotterer-Benoît Tréluyer)
Retired (Timo Bernhard-Romain Dumas-Mike Rockenfeller, Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Allan McNish)