The choice of the Audi Board of Administration across the outgoing CEO Markus Duesmann to finish the long-standing works assist for buyer groups in prestigious packages such because the DTM and the massive 24-hour races on the Nürburgring or in Spa-Francorchamps after 2023 has an affect on Audi Sport buyer racing hit like a bomb.
Since after 2024 Audi can even have the manufacturing facility program on the Dakar Rally ended, in the long term in skilled motorsport ‘solely’ stays the introduced one Formula 1 entry for 2026. It’s a turning level within the 40-year motorsport historical past of the automobile producer from Ingolstadt, which may look again on prestigious successes within the World Rally Championship, within the 24 Hours of Le Manswithin the DTMthe Formel E or quite a few buyer sport packages.
Audi customer teams are clearly critical of the board decision
The decision of the Board of Management of Audi AG to completely cut factory sport and factory-supported commitments until the planned F1 commitment in two and a half years has caused a great deal of misunderstanding in the racing scene and among many Audi customer teams. The criticism of numerous team bosses explicitly on the board when asked by Motorsport-Magazin.com is more than clear.
Likewise, none of the current team managers of an Audi customer racing team wanted to rule out a possible future with Audi racing cars. Although the important financial support for the plant will be dropped in the future, the technical support, the spare parts service, including on site, and general customer care will remain in place.
“Audi Sport customer racing will not be liquidated or closed,” emphasized Audi Motorsport Director Rolf Michl in conversation with Motorsport-Magazin.com.
Motorsport-Magazin.com spoke to quite a few well-known group bosses and managers from Audi buyer groups after the motorsport earthquake from the Ingolstadt boardroom and compiled their reactions.
Ernst Moser: “Duesmann left Audi Motorsport in tatters”
Ernst Moser, longtime group supervisor Phoenix Racing/Scherer-PHX: “I believe it relies on individuals who have determined to do Formulation 1 and who haven’t thought of what Audi has distinguished and achieved with nice automobiles over a few years. I’m disenchanted by individuals who make choices like this and do not take into consideration what Audi has constructed up over a long time with motorsport.”
“For a few years, the Audi slogan ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ was a stepping stone to incorporating applied sciences which have been tried and examined in motorsport into collection improvement. Then somebody comes alongside who thinks they should reinvent the whole lot. There are private egos above the whole lot else. The worst factor in regards to the determination is that Mr. Duesmann will quickly be gone once more, leaving Audi Motorsport in an important shambles. From my perspective, it’s an not possible determination that may definitely not solely damage me bitterly!”
Wolfgang Land: “Audi AG’s determination is meaningless”
Wolfgang Land, Workforce Director Audi Sport Workforce Land: “Audi AG decided that I am unable to perceive. It sends a really unhealthy sign for motorsport as a complete. The choice-makers clearly do not but know what meaning for the long run. There will surely have been alternatives for Audi For instance, creating a hybrid automobile for motorsport. For me, the subject of e-mobility and racing is simply window dressing and never an alternate so long as the combustion engine nonetheless exists. It might be rather more essential to deal with e-fuel as a substitute.”
“It is a pity for us that there are now not any strategic assignments and no extra drivers offered by Audi Sport. However, and that is optimistic: Audi Sport buyer racing continues, spare components assist is assured and engineers must also be offered be secured sooner or later. We now have three of our personal and one other three buyer R8 LMS GT3s. I consider which you can proceed to win races and achieve success with them sooner or later. The circumstances should not as unhealthy as you may suppose in the intervening time.”
Peter Schmidt: “Audi AG’s determination fully incomprehensible”
Peter Schmidt, Teamchef Audi Sport Workforce Automotive Assortment: “For me, the choice of Audi AG is totally incomprehensible, as a result of the funds have to be pooled for the Formulation 1 venture. If you already know Audi’s historical past in motorsport, you ask your self the way it might have occurred. It was mentioned “All the time, Audi does motorsport due to buyer loyalty to the manufacturing autos. That is undoubtedly price greater than getting concerned in Formulation 1 or the Dakar Rally. I nonetheless should digest the frustration with this determination.”
“As a result of rising scenario at Audi Sport, we’ve arrange a parallel program with Porsche. Nonetheless, we lately purchased two new Audi R8 LMS GT3s and we wish to proceed utilizing them with our different Audis past 2023. When it comes to pure working prices (by working time), Audi’s GT3 automobile is probably the most cost-effective available on the market. That is an important, unbeatable argument.”
“When it comes to the variety of autos in numerous racing collection, we have been the most important Audi group in 2022. We loved the shut and pleasant cooperation, which additionally includes lots of ardour.”
Arkin Aka: “Hopefully the brand new Audi CEO will flip issues round”
Arkin Aka, Teamchef Attempto Racing: “I can’t perceive the choice of the outdated Audi board of administrators, however it confirms that Mr. Duesmann doesn’t have to depart the corporate (as of September 1st, 2023, ed.) with out cause. All the workers of the Audi Sport household damage me infinitely sorry as a result of they put a lot vitality, dedication and coronary heart and soul into the tasks.”
“I hope that the brand new Audi CEO (Gernot Döllner, ed.) will flip issues round once more and maneuver the Audi Sport model to the place it was earlier than – on the prime!”
“Not a lot will change for us as a group. Popping out within the DTM and in 24-hour races will after all turn out to be tougher now, however I nonetheless see alternatives to proceed our packages. It is essential that Audi Sport buyer racing continues to exist. Me Sooner or later, I’ll attempt to supply younger abilities the chance to develop with us even with out Audi Sport and manufacturing facility drivers.”
Martin Tomczyk: “It is optimistic that Audi Sport buyer racing will proceed”
Martin Tomczyk, Motorsport Director Abt Sportsline: “To begin with, it’s optimistic information that Audi Sport buyer racing will proceed and that the availability of components and technical assist will proceed to be assured sooner or later. This mainly provides us the choice of continuous to compete with Audi within the DTM. We as a group now have readability and can be in intensive talks with Audi and our companions about how issues will proceed for us. ABT and Audi have been collectively within the DTM for twenty-four years. That is distinctive. However after all we’re additionally coping with different eventualities.”
Manuel Reuter: “Loss for worldwide GT racing”
Manuel Reuter, Sports activities Director Engstler Motorsport: “We remorse the choice made by Audi AG, however we nonetheless have to simply accept it. The withdrawal of such a famend and profitable producer from factory-supported buyer racing packages is undoubtedly a loss for worldwide GT racing. Working with Audi was and is for us of nice significance. We’re proud to be part of it and now we’ve to attend and see what the long run brings us.”
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Revealed : 2023-07-12 16:20:00
