Audi have begun their preparations for the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours with a test at Sebring, Florida. All nine factory drivers were on show, driving two new Audi R18 cars and one Audi R15 TDI, each taking turn to drive each of the cars.
One of the R18 models was set aside for endurance runs, while the second was used for development work. The R15 was tested ahead of its use in the Sebring 12 hour race, the season opener of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC). It also underwent endurance runs, as well as basic set up work ahead of the race in March.
Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich commented: “We're very pleased with the performance of the Audi R18 at our first outing at Sebring. We opted for this race track because it makes high demands on the mechanical systems of our vehicles. The temperatures are better than in Europe right now, plus the dry weather provides us with assurance that we're able to conduct the endurance runs as planned. On a wet track the loads would be lower and the test results therefore less conclusive.”
