Audi has so far been undefeated in the five rounds to date of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship and, at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, celebrated the 100th overall victory of an LMP race car from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Now, as Audi Sport Team Joest travels to Fuji in Japan for the 6 Hours of Fuji on Sunday 20th October, Audi is hoping to claim enough points to secure the World Championship title in the Manufacturers’ classification for a second consecutive year.
Several of Audi’s factory drivers, who either spent many years of their careers in Japan or are still at home there, have contributed to the huge popularity of the Audi team at Fuji International Speedway. Tom Kristensen (DK) drove in Japan for four years, his team-mate Loïc Duval (F) has been active in the land of the rising sun since 2006 and lives in Tokyo. Together with Allan McNish (GB), who frequently travelled to Japan in the past as a test driver, they are leading the WEC drivers’ standings with a 33-point advantage following their third victory of the season at Austin.
Their own team-mates are their closest rivals. André Lotterer (D) has been involved in Japanese racing series since 2003 and lives in Tokyo, and Benoît Tréluyer (F) spent twelve years of his racing career in the Pacific island state. Only Marcel Fässler (CH) had no connection to Japan before the WEC round at Fuji a year ago but this did not keep the passionate fans from welcoming him as warmly as his team-mates.
Aside from the joy before the event, there are some hard facts indicating that Japan will be an important race. Audi may win this year’s first World Championship title right at the sixth WEC round. Audi’s advantage over Toyota amounts to 69 points, with a total of 52 points yet to be awarded at the two rounds following Fuji. Thus, finishing the race is the prerequisite for securing the title early. But there is much more at stake. After Audi was defeated at Fuji last year, the R18 e-tron quattro is to cross the finish line as the winner in 2013. In the competition, Audi will be meeting with two race cars from challenger Toyota.
Marcel Fässler (37/CH), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Is driving in Japan only for the second time in his career
“I was in Japan for the first time a year ago and was deeply impressed with the country and its people. I really like the track at Fuji as well. And the Japanese fans arrived in large numbers. It was a valuable addition to the WEC, so I’m looking forward to this race with eager anticipation. The track with its predominantly semi-fast and very fast sections is a nice challenge.”
André Lotterer (31/D), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Has mainly been living in Tokyo since 2005
“I’m very much looking forward to the WEC race in Japan. This year, I was on the Super Formula grid at Fuji and celebrated a victory there in July. I’m sure that our Audi R18 e-tron quattro will be better this season than it was last year. We want to make life difficult for Toyota and battle for victory. Another nice aspect is the continuous enthusiasm of the Japanese fans.”
Benoît Tréluyer (36/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Posted the first fastest race lap in the WEC at Austin
-Has spent twelve years of his career in Japan
“I can hardly wait to travel to Japan. I’ll arrive a little earlier in order to meet a lot of friends, fans and team members from the past. I associate a lot of success with the track at Fuji. Due to a small tussle we gave away the chance of battling for victory last year. We want to make up for that now. Our aim is the top step of the podium.”
Loïc Duval (31/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Together with Allan McNish, last posted the fastest time in qualifying at Austin
-Is driving a race for Audi in Japan for the first time
“Following Le Mans, this is my second home race because I live in Japan. Last year, I was at Fuji as a guest of Audi and this year I’m driving the WEC race in Japan for the first time. The sports car race was a big event a year ago and now we’re arriving at round six of the season as the leaders of the standings. I’m hoping for our team to benefit from my experience at Fuji.”
Tom Kristensen (46/DK), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Leads the WEC standings together with his team-mates
-Drove in Japan in his career between 1992 and 1995
“Following Audi’s 100th LMP overall victory, we’ve set our sights on the next aim when we’re traveling to Japan. We’re competing in a nation that’s absolutely enthusiastic about motorsport and want to win the manufacturers’ World Championship there. We’ll be meeting with two cars from our challenger Toyota, which will make the race particularly interesting and exciting.”
Allan McNish (43/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
-Most recently, celebrated the third win of the season with his team-mates at Austin
“I always enjoy traveling to Japan. When I left Europe for the first time at the age of 20, Japan was the first Asian country I got to know. I repeatedly spent time there for Formula 1 tests and individual races. The Fuji 6 Hours was a great race a year ago. The track is demanding. I like the first part better than the last one. Some sections suit Audi but the rear part of the track should be more favorable for Toyota. We’re expecting a thrilling battle. And the fans are a really important part of this race.”
Information taken from Audi Sport press release
Photo: OYAMA-CHO (SHINOZUKA PREFECTURE, JAPAN), FUJI INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, 6 HOURS OF FUJI, SUNDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2012, RACE. Audi's team members were as enthusiastic to race in Japan, as the fans were to welcome them.
