Long Beach - April 14, 2007
Audi claims double victory in LM P1 category
With a double victory in the LM P1 category, Audi extended the
championship lead in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The Audi
R10 TDI achieved in Long Beach (US state of California) the eleventh
consecutive LM P1 win. On the street circuit, Dindo Capello/Allan McNish
(Italy/Scotland) recorded seventh place overall while their team-mates
Emanuele Pirro/Marco Werner (Italy/Germany) achieved second in the LM
P1 category and ninth overall. Finishing ahead of the two Audi R10 TDI
sports-prototypes were the 150 kilograms lighter LM P2 cars. After 10
outright ALMS victories, the 650 hp Audi R10 TDI suffered its first overall
defeat since making its debut 13 months ago.
Emanuele Pirro loses lead after accident
After 45 minutes of the 1:40 hour city race – the shortest race in ALMS
history – pole-setter Dario Franchitti (Honda/Acura) lost the lead to
Emanuele Pirro. At mid-distance, Pirro’s R10 TDI was hit up the back by
another car at the hairpin and was turned around. As a result, Pirro had to
pit with a punctured rear tyre. Co-driver Marco Werner took over the Audi
with a one lap deficit but ended the race in second position in the LM P1
category.
Dindo Capello in the Audi R10 TDI #1 pitted after 30 minutes because the
brake cooling was blocked by a piece of debris. As there was only one
yellow caution during the race, co-driver Allan McNish had to take diesel
again before the end of the race. Nevertheless the Scotsman drove to
victory in the LM P1 category.
The next race for the Audi R10 TDI is 21 April with the fourth race of the
American Le Mans Series in Houston (US state of Texas).
Quotes after the race
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport)
"After what we had learned in St. Petersburg, we knew before the race that
on a street circuit with these regulations it would be difficult for us to fight
against the lighter LM P2 cars. Additionally, the Acura/Honda and Porsche
competitors in the American Le Mans Series are stronger this year than
ever. In the LM P1 class, the R10 TDI in Long Beach was again
unbeatable. That we collected the maximum points was very important for
the championship.”
Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1)
"It was not an enjoyable race for me because after only a handful of laps, I
had a brake problem – debris blocking a brake duct causing overheating.
The race strategy of an early stop was correct, especially as it enabled
our crew to clear the duct, but obviously we hoped for a second yellow to
prevent a late splash and dash. But we lead the championship and can
hopefully have a better race at Houston.”
Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #1)
"From a race perspective the overall result is disappointing. But after
qualifying, and the speed of the LM P2 Acura and Porsche cars, we knew
they would run a fast race pace. We hoped it would be a hot day and the
grip of the track surface would come to us and help but unfortunately it
wasn’t to be. We must now analyse all of the data to try to make the
situation better for Houston. But in the bigger picture, we won our class
which is good for the championship.”
Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #2)
"We have finally been beaten which is something that had to happen
sooner or later. The negative thing is that we lost the race by an accident
which was completely out of my control. I was hit by a Porsche GT3 in a
slow corner. The positive thing is that we would have had the potential to
win the race. The car was very strong; I was in the lead and was having a
good race.”
Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #2)
"It was not our weekend. Emanuele drove a good race but he lost one lap
when he was touched by another car in the rear which caused a puncture.
When I took over, I could only do my race but nothing more.”
Dave Maraj (Team Director Audi Sport North America)
"We have a saying that ‘not everyday can be Sunday’ meaning it cannot be
a perfect world all of the time and today was just one of those days. The
#1 Audi had some brake and tyre issues and because of the early stop
required another stop for diesel when we didn’t get a late yellow.
Meanwhile the #2 Audi ran very competitively too until a GT2 car ran up the
back of it at the hairpin and punctured a rear tyre. The phenomenal run of
Audi R10 TDI victories was always going to be in jeopardy especially on a
street circuit and so it is proved.”
The results in Long Beach
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