Monterey - October 20, 2007
Dindo Capello/Allan McNish win at Laguna Seca
In the finale of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca (US state of
California), Team Audi Sport North America has once again given
impressive proof of the performance of Audi TDI Power. With the Diesel
technology which is set to enter the US market for road cars in 2008,
Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) were able to beat the
best Porsche in a photo finish. Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) and Marco
Werner (Germany) completed Audi’s triumph in the final race of the
season with a third place finish.
13th outright victory for the Audi R10 TDI
It was the 13th outright victory for the revolutionary Audi R10 TDI in its 21st
race – on a track that favoured the LM P2 cars, lighter due to the
regulations. In the 4-hour race, however, in the end the weight handicap
of the LM P1 cars was not so decisive but the enormous torque of the
650-hp Audi V12 TDI engine.
Despite the Audi drivers dropping behind the lighter LM P2 cars during
the pit-stops, they were always able to re-pass them. In the last 30
minutes, the spectators once again witnessed a thriller: Dindo Capello
had to defend the lead he had taken from the "factory” Porsche of Romain
Dumas with Marco Werner defending his third place against the second
Penske Porsche. Twice, Dumas was able to pass Capello in traffic but
both times, the Audi driver hit back immediately. He crossed the finish
line just 0.410 seconds in front of the Porsche. Marco Werner had a
similarly slender gap, just 0.415-second ahead of the other "factory”
Porsche.
Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner finish third
In the first half of the race, Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller had laid
the foundations for Audi success. Starting from fifth position on the grid, it
took McNish just 15 minutes to conquer the lead. Mike Rockenfeller also
showed a strong performance on his first race with the Audi R10 TDI in
the American Le Mans Seires, handing over the second R10 TDI in fourth
position to Marco Werner.
Werner dropped to ninth place following contact with Stefan Johansson’s
Acura/Honda causing a nose change but was able to fight his way back to
third position overall.
Quotes after the race
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport)
"This has been an ultra exciting race. The fans have seen sportscar
racing at its best. Of course I’m happy we were able to score an overall
vicrory on a track which was not perfect for the heavier LM P1 sportscars.
It was a great performance from the entire team. It’s nice to finish the
season with a victory and a third-place finish.”
Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1)
"It was very tough throughout my two hour stint. I had little grip from the
front tyres causing me to struggle. I was really afraid that I would make a
mistake because I was having to push very hard all of the time – I could
always see the Porsche in my mirrors. But perhaps sometimes age and
experience helps in these tense situations. This race win is even better
than the one at Road Atlanta two weeks ago.”
Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #1)
"This victory is a superb way to end the season – we pulled a rabbit out of
the hat to achieve this win. We came out on top of a hard fight against
both Penske Porsches which lasted the entire four hour duration. We
always managed to get back ahead of them after the pit-stop sequences
and control the race and that was the difference in finishing first or
second. I’m very proud of the entire Audi team.”
Mike Rockenfeller (Audi R10 TDI #2)
"I’m very thankful to Dr Ullrich that he gave me the chance to compete
here. It was a great final race of the season for me. I’m happy with my
performance. Despite being very careful at the beginning of the race, I
quickly moved into fourth position. After the first pit-stop I pushed and was
able to match the pace of the three cars in front of me. This was a nice
feeling.”
Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #2)
"This was exciting! This was for sure not the best race for us but one of
the best races I have driven in recently. The fight with the Porsche in the
closing stages was great and real fun. I’m happy about the third position.
Thanks to Team Audi Sport North America!”
Dave Maraj (Team Director Audi Sport North America)
"Another heart-stopping, close race – it was an intense battle from start to
finish. For the second consecutive race, Dindo had to withstand amazing
pressure in the closing stages. All four drivers produced great drives to
finish one-three overall. The team also have worked very hard for this win.
Everything had to be perfect in the pit for Audi to achieve this victory. A
dream ending to a tough season.”
The results at Laguna Seca
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