As Audi looks ahead to its ambitious Formula 1 project in 2026 with Sauber, it is simultaneously leaving behind its history in other disciplines of motorsport. The German manufacturer has pulled the plug on every single one of its racing programmes in order to redirect its focus on F1, even though its swathe of fans don’t associate the brand with single-seater or formula racing.
A picture showing Audi’s customer racing boss Chris Reinke handing over the delivery of the last-ever R8 LMS GT3 to Austrian businessman and amateur driver Michael Doppelmayr perfectly encapsulates Audi’s pedigree in motor racing. While the bare carbon fibre R8 LMS is proudly positioned in the centre, the photograph also shows a large number of Audi’s Le Mans Prototypes and Group B rally cars at Audi Tradition, the company’s mobile museum.
One would have to look very hard to spot a Silver Arrow with which the brand then known as Auto Union competed in grand prix racing in the 1930s. If there is any image that shows what Audi Sport stands for, it is this one.
It’s why the decision to gradually curtail the GT3 programme is particularly sad for both Audi and the wider motorsport world. The R8 is one of the most famous cars in the GT3 arena and easily one of the most successful, with victories in all major endurance events including Bathurst 12 Hour, Nurburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. In all, Audi produced 310 examples of the car across multiple generations, winning 125 drivers’ titles and 197 other championships since 2009.
Audi has promised to provide technical support and spare parts for the R8 LMS GT3 until 2032, but it’s unlikely the car will be seen in action at the start of next decade. Audi no longer provides factory backing to its customer support teams, while its pool of factory drivers was also disbanded at the end of 2023. The four drivers that remained on its roster in 2024 are also set to leave as their contracts expire this year, meaning any team with an R8 would have to source drivers on their own and pay their salaries.
Then there is the small matter of the car becoming outdated in the face of newer models and Evo versions introduced by rivals. Slowly all existing outfits will be left with no option but to move to newer cars from other manufacturers. Even Abt Sportsline, a team whose relationship with Audi stretches back 25 years, has been forced to call it quits and switch to Lamborghini for its two-car DTM attack…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Motorsport.com – Culture – Stories…