Audi kicked off the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in style with its R18 e-tron quattro cars dominating the Silverstone 6 Hours and clinching the first two positions.
This follows Audi’s one-two finish in the non-championship Sebring 12 Hours in March.
This marked the first time that Audi won the famous RAC Tourist Trophy, the main prize for the 2013 WEC opener and awarded since 1905. Scotsman Allan McNish (Great Britain), who along with Tom Kristensen (Denmark) was on the grid for the first time with his new team-mate Loïc Duval (France), was particularly pleased to win this trophy at his “home” round. The trio currently leads the WEC drivers’ standings, seven points ahead of the next drivers.
This was also a battle of the best hybrid sports cars, with Audi’s R18 e-tron quattros beating Toyota at Silverstone. Audi’s setup for high downforce was a key contributor as was the fact that their 58-litre diesel fuel tank was 20% smaller than the gasoline fuel tank of Toyota, resulting in shorter refuelling intervals. Audi did take an additional refueling stop but still won with a one-lap advantage ahead of the best Toyota finishing in third place.
The next race is in three weeks from now, at Spa-Francorchamps on May 04. Audi is fielding three R18 e-tron quattros for the first time, as part of their preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours.
