First fielding of three Audi R18 e-tron quattro carsPremiere of a new aerodynamic variant Last race preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours

Audi is pursuing ambitious aims at round 2 of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) on May 4 at Spa. The version of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro that was victorious at the season opener is to extend Championship leader Audis points advantage. At the same time, a new long-tail variant of the hybrid sports car will be tested in Belgium. Audi Sport Team Joest thus wants to optimally prepare for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the pinnacle of the season for the sports prototypes held on June 22 and 23. Comparison in racing conditions: Two versions of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro that, also visually, can be clearly distinguished from each other will be running at Spa. The winners of the opening round, Loc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB), and the current World Endurance Champions Marcel Fssler/Andr Lotterer/Benot Trluyer (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-kilometer circuit at Spa.The third Audi R18 e-tron quattro, driven by Marc Gen/Lucas di Grassi/Oliver Jarvis (E/BR/GB), on the other hand uses an aero package that has been optimized for the high-speed Le Mans track and can be recognized by its lengthened rear section. The comparison, however, is not focused on absolute lap times. Instead, the team will analyze 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. The focal point of the spectators interest will yet again be the thrilling battle between World Champion Audi and challenger Toyota. In the seven meetings that have taken place since last June, the score is at 4-3 for the sports cars from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm in the competition with Japan. The Spa 6 Hours will be held on Saturday of the first weekend in May. The TV channel Eurosport will cover selected stages of the race whereas the full racing distance can be watched on audi-liveracing.com on the internet.Topics of the weekend- Will Duval/Kristensen/McNish be able to extend their lead of the standings?- How well will the World Champions Fssler/Lotterer/Trluyer fare?- How will the battle with Toyota develop?- Which manufacturer will travel to Le Mans with a points advantage?Quotes by the officialsDr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport: As always, Audi will be using the race at Spa as a dress rehearsal for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Spa is a race track with a character thats completely different from Silverstone. We thoroughly reviewed the first race of the season and accomplished our tasks in order to be well prepared for the second round of the WEC. Fielding the Le Mans aero variant on the third vehicle that hasnt been optimized for the lap times at Spa is an important element of the preparation for the 24-hour race.

Ralf Jttner, Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest: The comparison with our competitor will start from scratch again at Spa. We can expect our opponent Toyota to compete with the latest technological update. For the first time this year, well be running with three cars. That means more work for our team. Spas a great track and a race that definitely belongs on the WEC calendar. The new Audi R18 e-tron quattro was immediately reliable and fast.

Facts and quotes by the Audi driversMarcel Fssler (36/CH), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Drove the fastest race lap at Spa a year ago- Had to admit defeat at Silverstone by only 3.4 secondsSpas one of my favorite tracks. In the LMP sports car, the circuit is a fantastic challenge. Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and the fast downhill double left-hand turn are particularly nice. Plus I like the ambience in Belgium extremely well.Andr Lotterer (31/D), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Regards Spa as his home track- Is the runner-up in the standings after the 2013 season openerI grew up in Belgium and went to the track as a child. Thats why Spa is always special for me. Its a fast track that should be suiting our car well. My two team-mates really enjoy driving there too. Im hoping for us to be able to reverse the order of the top two results of the Silverstone weekend. Benot Trluyer (36/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Winner of the 2013 Sebring 12 Hours - The World Champion was the runner-up in Belgium last yearFor my team-mate Andr Lotterer, Spa is a home track in a way. Well be running for the first time now in this years R18 e-tron quattro and the new tires on this track. Of course wed like to be on the podium again right after Silverstone ideally on the top though.Loc Duval (30/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Won the Spa 6 Hours in the Audi R18 ultra last year- Leads the standings with his team-mate after the success at SilverstoneI achieved my first victory with Audi at Spa last year. In May, the weather in the Ardennes is often unstable. Together with Allan and Tom Id like to repeat the success at Silverstone and extend our World Championship lead.

Tom Kristensen (45/DK), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- The Dane achieved his first victory of the season at Silverstone- Ten years ago, he won at Spa in the Audi R8 Spa for us drivers, the cars and the teams is a huge challenge. Its a typical track from a different era with many vertical differences and corresponding compressions, with blind turns and frequently changing weather. The mechanics and all the other team members did an outstanding job at Silverstone. The pit stops and strategy were good. Spas our last preparation in racing conditions before the biggest competition of the year at Le Mans.Allan McNish (43/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Achieved the fastest time in qualifying at Spa last year- At the WEC opener in England, celebrated his first victory in an R18 e-tron quattroI always enjoy driving again at Spa. The track follows the topography in an ideal way. Thats a hallmark of many good circuits. Some of the worlds nicest corners are found at Spa, such as Eau Rouge or Pouhon. The races there are always thrilling, partially due to the weather but also because there are always surprises. The track is rough on the drivers, the car and the tires. In addition, were expecting the competition at Spa to be tough due to Toyota. We drivers and our engineers have found a very good rhythm of working together.Marc Gen (39/E), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Won the race at Spa on making his Audi debut a year ago- Has celebrated three sports car victories at Spa since 2008Im looking forward to one of my favorite tracks that Ive won at three times before. For us, its the big preparation for Le Mans. The weathers often unpredictable. For Oliver Jarvis, Lucas di Grassi and me, its the only opportunity to adjust to each other in racing conditions. Until now, Ive only driven the Audi R18 e-tron quattro in tests. Id like to repeat last years victory.Lucas di Grassi (28/BR), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Is starting his third sports car race with Audi - Was the runner-up in the Sebring 12 Hours in MarchIm experiencing my first WEC race in 2013 at Spa. Ive got fond memories of this legendary circuit from GP2 and Formula 1. Theres no nicer track if youre running in a fast car. Ill be starting with two different team-mates than I did at Sebring. Well be able to gear up now for the biggest task of the year in racing conditions.Oliver Jarvis (29/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest)- Celebrated a class victory with Audi at Daytona in January- Won the Sebring 12 Hours in MarchMy sports car career in Audis factory team began a year ago at Spa. We immediately took a podium. Its a great feeling to return now. After a good race at Sebring Im traveling to Spa even better prepared than I was twelve months ago. For the first time, Im running with my two new team-mates. And were developing the car with special aerodynamics for Le Mans. Thatll be our personal warm-up for the 24-hour race.

The Audi drivers at SpaLoc Duval (F): * June 12, 1982 in Chartres (F); residence: Tokyo (J); single (partner Galle), one son (Hugo); height: 1.78 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 0; WEC races: 4; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 1Marcel Fssler (CH): * May 27, 1976 in Einsiedeln (CH); residence: Gross (CH); married to Isabel, four daughters (Shana, Elin, Yael and Delia); height: 1.78 m; weight: 78 kg; Audi driver since 2008; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 3; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 2Marc Gen (E): * March 03, 1974 in Sabadell (E); residence: Barcelona (E); single, one son (Patrick) and one daughter (Sienna); height: 1.73 m; weight: 69 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 1; WEC races: 2; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 0; best result WEC Spa: 1Lucas di Grassi (BR): * August 11, 1984 in So Paulo (BR); residence: Monaco (MC); single; height: 1.79 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 0; WEC races: 1; WEC victories: 0; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa:

Oliver Jarvis (GB): * January 09, 1984 in Burwell (GB); residence: Burwell (GB); single; height: 1.80 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2008; Le Mans victories: 0; WEC races: 2; WEC victories: 0; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 0; best result WEC Spa: 3Tom Kristensen (DK): * July 07, 1967 in Hobro (DK); residence: Hobro (DK); single (partner: Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald), one daughter (Carla Marlou); height: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2000, Le Mans victories: 8; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 2; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 4

Andr Lotterer (D): * November 19, 1981 in Duisburg (D); residence: Tokyo (J);single; height: 1.84 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 3; WEC pole positions: 2; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 2Allan McNish (GB): * December 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB); residence: Monaco (MC); married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte Amelie); height: 1.65 m; weight: 60 kg; Audi driver in 2000, since 2004; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 2; WEC pole positions: 2; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 4

Benot Trluyer (F): * December 07, 1976 in Alenon (F); residence: Gordes (F); married to Melanie, one son (Jules); height: 1.78 m; weight: 68 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 3; WEC pole positions: 1; fastest WEC laps: 0; best result WEC Spa: 2

All Spa winners (since 2003)2003 Seiji Ara/Tom Kristensen (Audi)2004 Jamie Davies/Johnny Herbert (Audi)2005 Casper Elgaard/John Nielsen/Hayanari Shimoda (Zytek)2006 Jean-Christophe Boullion/Emmanuel Collard (Pescarolo)2007 Pedro Lamy/Stphane Sarrazin (Peugeot)2008 Marc Gen/Nicolas Minassian/Jacques Villeneuve (Peugeot)2009 Christian Klien/Nicolas Minassian/Simon Pagenaud (Peugeot)2010 Sbastien Bourdais/Pedro Lamy/Simon Pagenaud (Peugeot)2011 Anthony Davidson/Marc Gen/Alexander Wurz (Peugeot)2012 Romain Dumas/Loc Duval/Marc Gen (Audi)Track infoTrack length: 7.004 km Race duration: 6 hoursQualifying record on this track: Sbastien Bourdais, Peugeot, 1m 57.884s = 213.892 km/h (May 08, 2010) Race record on this track: Franck Montagny, Peugeot, 1m 59.797s = 210.476 km/h (May 09, 2010) Pole position 2012: Allan McNish, Audi R18 e-tron quattro, 2m 01.579s = 207.391 km/h (May 04, 2012) Fastest lap 2012: Marcel Fssler, Audi R18 e-tron quattro, 2m 01.851s = 206.928 km/h (May 05, 2012)Marc Gen about the track at SpaI love Spa with its unique turns and vertical differences. Theres no other place where you can feel the centrifugal forces within your body as much as you can in Eau Rouge. Spa is the second-longest track after Le Mans and the weather is always changeable in the Ardennes. Eau Rouge remains the greatest single challenge. In Formula 1, due to the smaller engines and lower weight, you run flat-out there but in the heavier sports car Eau Rouge is even more extreme. Good overtaking opportunities exist in La Source, in front of Les Combes, in the double left-hand turn, on the Fagnes passage and in the chicane before the start and finish. The tarmac provides outstanding grip which is why slicks even work well when the track is slightly damp. In 2012, I celebrated my third sports car victory on this track with my team-mates. Schedule Friday, May 309:0011:00 Free practice 1 14:3016:30 Free practice 219:3020:00 Qualifying LMP1 and LMP2Saturday, May 409:0009:20 Warm-up14:3020:30 6-hour race