Audi is heading to Japan’s Fuji Speedway with two missions – close the gap to Porsche in the manufacturers’ standings and build on their lead in the drivers’ championship.
With the Japanese track – featuring the longest straight on the calendar at 1,500m – playing host to round six of eight of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship season, Audi are hoping to the tip the balance back in their direction following months of domination for their German compatriots Porsche.
Having regularly claimed podiums this season – as well as two wins at Silverstone and Spa Francorchamps – the #7 trio of Benoit Treluyer, Andre Lotterer and Marcel Fassler holds a ten point lead over the #17 Porsche of Mark Webber, Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley.
Having claimed a podium finish at every round of the season, the trio are hoping that they can get back to winning ways and build on their 113 points gathered so far this season.
In the manufacturers’ standings the Ingolstadt manufacturer has 184 points, 36 behind Porsche with Audi hoping that the #7, alongside the #8 of Lucas Di Grassi, Loic Duval and Oliver Jarvis, can quickly overhaul that gap in the three races left in 2015.
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, the Head of Audi Motorsport, is confident that they will have a good race in the shadow of Mount Fuji, he said: “Even if we are not always at the sharp end or, like last time at Austin, when we lost valuable practice time, Marcel, André and Ben don’t get fazed. At Fuji we aim to fight again for the maximum amount of points possible, so that we stay at the top of the standings.”
With long straights and slow corners, Chris Reinke – Head of LMP at Audi – has spoken of the balance needed in the aero package: “The race car set-up requires a good balance between low drag and aerodynamic downforce. After finishing fifth and sixth last year, we aim to do significantly better at Fuji this time. We’re on the right track with our developments.”