Audi occupies two podium places in Japan

AUDI had to settle for positions two and three at the seventh round of the FIA World Championship (WEC) at Ingolstadt, Fuji. A sporting penalty deprived the number 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro of all chances for victory at Fuji.
Up to the six-hour race’s mid-point, Audi was fighting a thrilling battle for victory with Toyota. At the beginning of the race, Andre Lotterer in the number 1 R18 e-tron quattro constantly remained within striking distance of Toyota driver Alexander Wurz. Benoit Treluyer, who took over driving duties of the hybrid prototype from Lotterer, continued the chase and took the lead after a thrilling duel.
However, shortly after the race’s mid-point, a GT vehicle collided with the Audi in a lapping maneuver. Due to the resulting damage, a pit stop was made to change the front hood. This cost a further 24 seconds in addition to the regular duration of the pit stop. When the race directors decided that the Audi was to blame for the accident and issued a stop-and-go penalty, car number 1 dropped to third place. Lotterer drove good lap times and recovered to second place in the penultimate hour of the race. Only 11.2 seconds separated him from the winning Toyota in the end. With this result, the three Le Mans winners Marcel Fassler/Andre Lotterer/Benoit Treluyer extended their lead of the standings by three to 16.5 points.
At this point in time, Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen were struggling with the handling of their number 2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The Anglo-Danish duo ultimately took third place.
Although Audi, despite a good race performance, was deprived by the sporting penalty of any chance of taking its sixth victory of the season, the entire squad can look forward to the finale at Shanghai two weeks from now.