Rockenfeller, Luhr & Prémat to LeMans
For the first time since their triple victory in 2002, AUDI AG will be fielding three factory cars again in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The DTM drivers Lucas Luhr (27/Germany), Alexandre Prémat (25/France) and Mike Rockenfeller (23/Germany) are going to drive a third Audi R10 TDI (car number 3) in the French endurance classic on 16/17 June. Former DTM Champion Mattias Ekström (28/Sweden) is Audi’s reserve driver in the event that Tom Kristensen (39/Denmark) should not be fit in time for racing again.
“The race at Le Mans poses a new challenge every year,” commented Audi Head of Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “By fielding a third car, we are increasing our chances of again being successful. Experience has certainly shown us how quickly a team can ‘lose’ a car at Le Mans. The costs incurred for a third vehicle versus a two-car team are reasonable.”
Mattias Ekström, Lucas Luhr, Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller proved their abilities to race at Le Mans in tests at Paul Ricard (France) in early April by setting consistently fast lap times. “All four left an outstanding impression, ” explained Dr Ullrich. “We opted for the combination of Luhr/Prémat/Rockenfeller because we want Mattias to concentrate on the DTM, in which he has good chances of winning the title. Le Mans is exactly between two important DTM races at Brands Hatch and the Norisring. ”
The Swede will only drive on 16/17 June in the event that the seven-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen has not received medical approval to race. “At the moment we’re assuming that Tom will be fit again by the time of the Le Mans race, but of course there’s no guarantee for this,” said Dr Ullrich.
