Audi confirm four driver line-up for Fuji race

Audi has confirmed the four drivers that will compete in the ‘Dream Race’ between cars from the DTM and Super GT at Fuji in November.

René Rast, Mike Rockenfeller, Loïc Duval and Benoît Tréluyer will be at the wheel of the four RS 5 DTMs that are entered into the race alongside three cars from BMW, the first of which will be driven by Alex Zanardi.

Having secured his second championship title earlier this month, Rast will be at the wheel of the car entered into the race by Audi Sport Team Rosberg as he prepares to compete on Japanese soil for the first time, with his only previous experience of Fuji having come on a simulator in preparation for the race.

“I’ve never been to Japan and am excited to see what’s awaiting us – that’ll no doubt be a cool event,” he said. “The track at Fuji has a brutally long straight. Especially in the last section, it’s very technical. All of the cornering radii are very long. That’s going to be interesting, especially in terms of tyre wear.”

Rockenfeller will be returning to Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline – the team that gave him his maiden DTM win – for the race, with current team-mate Duval at the wheel of the Audi Sport Team Phoenix entry.

“I know many mechanics and engineers of the team really well,” Rockenfeller said. “I’m looking forward to racing in Japan. I’ve never done that before in my career. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the country, the racing series and the fan culture there.”

Duval has past experience of racing in Japan having won the Super GT title back in 2010, with Tréluyer also well known to Japanese fans having enjoyed success in Formula Nippon and Super GT during his time racing in the Far East.

The Frenchman, a three time winner for Audi at Le Mans, will be at the wheel of the team run by Audi customer outfit WRT.

“The race at Fuji makes a dream come true for me,” he said. “It combines two elements to which I owe the biggest successes in my career: Japan and Audi. Obviously, after three years with only a few races, it won’t be easy for me. But I’m going to give my best and hope that I won’t disappoint WRT, Audi and my Japanese fans.”

Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass admitted it was a shame that the manufacturer wasn’t able to take all of its drivers to the Fuji race, but said he was pleased with the line-up assembled.

“Obviously, we’d have preferred taking all of our drivers with us to Japan,” he said. “However, because of the concurrent Formula E season opener, this wasn’t possible. I’m delighted that all three Audi Sport Teams will be on the grid at Fuji and that our customer team WRT also managed to carry out the commitment in Japan.”