A brand new Audi R18 and a couple of new faces in the team: it’s from a plain sheet of paper that Benoit Treluyer and his Audi Sport teammates Marcel Fassler and Andre Lotterer are arriving this weekend (April 15-17) at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the first round of their 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign.The 2012 world champion and triple Le Mans 24 Hours winner returns to the scene of his victory in the first round of 2015 with a mixture of anticipation and optimism. Over the winter period, both man and machine have prepared themselves well to face a season that will again be challenging and competitive in equal measure.
No stone has been left unturned as Audi Sport seek to return to their winning ways, starting with an Audi R18 which carries almost nothing over from last year’s iteration and is now competing in the 6MJ power class.
“There are some seasons we start knowing that we’re already at 100%, which was the case last year when we knew the car well,” said Benoit. “However, the situation is different this season because we’re still in a discovery phase with the new R18. Nevertheless, we’re very satisfied with the latest tests undertaken and the manner in which things are progressing.
“We also have some new faces in our team of mechanics,” continued the Frenchman. “Although we would like to work with the same people for as long as possible, some changes are unavoidable. It’s nevertheless interesting to welcome new guys and to build new relationships.
“We worked together for the first time at Paul Ricard during the Prologue, and I must say that it all went extremely well. The guys have done an excellent job, as has our new Chief Mechanic.
“With all of that hard work in the bag we’re ready to rock and roll,” adds Treluyer. “Audi has always been very competitive at Silverstone. Porsche has a well-developed car this year and Toyota has made a great step forward with their new machine, too, so it’s going to be very close. I don’t think it’s possible to make any predictions, but let’s wait and see!”
After several months away from the racetrack, the time has come for Treluyer and his teammates in the no. 7 car to dust off the cobwebs and return to competition.
“I just cannot wait any longer!” concludes Ben. “As it’s important I try not to go too far in my search for adrenaline kicks on my push bike or motorbike, it’s a good time for the championship to restart. It’s not just the driving that I miss, but also the excitement of racing, meeting up again with familiar faces and our little habits with Marcel and Andre.
“I prepared myself well over the winter, but I couldn’t do everything I had planned to. I had set myself some quite high targets in terms of physical preparation and I achieved them all, except for the weight!” Thankfully, that little surplus will soon be gone with the help of his new partner Polygon Bikes. From the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the FIA WEC season, Ben will be able to rely on several models from the famous bike firm to undertake his circuit recces. Treluyer is already prepared to step up a gear!
2016 FIA WEC Calendar1. 6 Hours of Silverstone, April 172. 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC, May 73. 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 18-194. 6 Hours of Nurburgring, July 245. 6 Hours of Mexico, September 36. 6 Hours of Circuit of The Americas, September 177. 6 Hours of Fuji, October 168. 6 Hours of Shanghai, November 69. 6 Hours of Bahrain, November 19
