Audi is preparing a new aerodynamic variant of the R18 e-tron quattro racecars for the next round of the FIA World Endurance Championship on May 4 at Spa. This will be the final race where the long-tail variant can be improved before the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.
Here's what Audi has to say about their plans:
The winners of the opening round, Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB), and the current World Endurance Champions Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F), will be starting with the aerodynamic variant that was victorious at Silverstone. It generates optimal downforce for track types such as the 7.004-kilometre circuit at Spa.
The third Audi R18 e-tron quattro, driven by Marc Gené/Lucas di Grassi/Oliver Jarvis (E/BR/GB), on the other hand uses an aero package that has been optimised for the high-speed Le Mans track and can be recognised by its lengthened rear section. The comparison, however, is not focused on absolute lap times. Instead, the team will analyse the time differences to be expected between both models on individual track sectors. In addition, practical aspects of using the second body version will be reviewed and data generated for the fielding in the race at Le Mans.
Call us interested. Also, I wonder what Toyota has up its sleeve to combat that German tail...