There had been loads of hypothesis concerning Audi Sport in 2022, with many citing the approaching finish of the R8 supercar’s manufacturing as a sign that its buyer division can be wound up within the coming years.
The rumours got here in opposition to the backdrop of different modifications in Audi’s motorsport portfolio, with the under-development LMDh challenge being axed and a brand new programme in System 1 starting in 2026 being introduced alongside its present manufacturing facility commitments within the Dakar Rally.
Nonetheless, there seems to be growing optimism inside the Audi secure that it’ll stay in GT racing, fuelled by the appointment of Rolf Michl as the pinnacle of Audi Sport on September 1.
Michl has earlier expertise inside the similar division in addition to at Abt Sportsline, and is taken into account by many to be fitter for a motorsport function than his predecessor Julius Seedbach, who has since switched to Audi’s technical division.
In an interview with Motorsport.com’s sister web site Motorsport-Complete.com, Attempto group boss Arkin Aka stated: “Audi has now created information. The important thing message on the [Hockenheim DTM] assembly was that Audi is dedicated to buyer sport. That is why all the things is evident for us now.”
It’s understood that Audi’s long-time buyer racing head Chris Reinke got here beneath stress throughout Seedbach’s management, however has regained full management over the division following his departure.
Reinke is extremely regarded by groups and carries loads of expertise, having beforehand headed its highly-successful LMP1 programme beneath the stewardship of then-motorsport chief Wolfgang Ullrich.
Successor to the Audi R8
Audi lately unveiled the ultimate V10-powered model of its R8 supercar because it begins to modify focus to electrifying its fleet.
The R8 has shaped the idea of its GT3 contender since 2009 and the marque lately gave the automotive a facelift in 2022, with the up to date model given the moniker Audi R8 GT3 Evo II.
Whereas there may be nonetheless some uncertainty about how Audi will cope with the scenario, the German producer insists it has a number of choices on the desk past 2024, with or with out the R8.
“We’ve got to outline a transparent perspective [on] the automotive we need to compete with,” Reinke advised Motorsport.com.
“For the second we’re very lucky and have been for 15 years that we now have the R8 as a base, our iconic sportscar out of the Audi Sport manufacturing line.
“We’d clearly be very lucky if the successor of no matter type would carry related DNA to allow us to construct an excellent robust race automotive. Then again, there are numerous potentialities to sort out this example if sooner or later there is likely to be no R8 anymore.”
Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport Buyer Racing
Picture by: Alexander Trienitz
In concept, Audi might prolong the homologation of the R8 past 2024, however it’s unlikely {that a} producer of that scale wish to compete with an out-of-production automotive.
“I can homologate a GT automotive eight years after the tip of manufacturing,” defined Reinke. “The top of manufacturing will not be lastly communicated and determined but, however for certain it will not be this or subsequent yr. So, in concept, we might race a automotive till the start of the 2030s.
“I do know that there’s a lot of discuss it, however sure, we all the time need to be near an genuine product, we all the time need it to be the genuine prime stage of a present product.
“Due to this fact, we are going to have a look at what the manufacturing line-up goes to carry, and what we will undertake. However the lifeline of the R8 LMS model for us in racing classes is sort of infinite.”
Audi doesn’t must essentially construct its subsequent GT3 automotive round a thoroughbred racer and might as a substitute go for a sedan as a base mannequin, just like rival producer BMW’s M4 GT3.
Nonetheless, if Audi decides to take this route and develop an all-new GT3 contender, it might take till 2026 till the automotive is prepared on the market to clients.
Reinke insists that Audi doesn’t must make a fast choice concerning the long-term way forward for its GT programme. However equally, he feels Audi has a duty in direction of its clients in offering some readability over what path the marque will take within the coming years.
“For the time being we really feel there may be a variety of dialogue about Audi’s buyer racing future within the public,” he stated.
“We launched two very robust fashions with the Evo II on the GT3 aspect and the Gen2 on the TCR aspect, that are promoting overwhelmingly effectively and performing overwhelmingly effectively.
“Due to this fact, it isn’t as excessive on our precedence listing because it is likely to be from the skin.
“Then again, buyer racing means catering the shoppers and if the shoppers ask for solutions past 2025 it’s on us to ship, so we are going to strive our absolute best to try this as quickly as attainable.”
#22 Audi Sport Crew Automotive Assortment Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2: Christopher Haase, Nico Müller, Patric Niederhauser, René Rast
Picture by: Andreas Beil
