Audi is a German automaker that has had a long and successful history in motorsports. The company first began competing in motorsports in the early 1900s, and has since competed in a variety of motorsports events including rally, touring cars, and endurance racing. The company is now entering F1 in a big way, so let’s dig into their past to see what their record in motorsport stands for.
Audi first made its mark in motorsports in the 1980s with its Quattro model, which dominated the World Rally Championship. The Quattro was the first rally car to feature all-wheel drive, and its advanced technology helped it win numerous rallies and championships. The car won the manufacturers’ championship in 1982 and 1984, and Audi drivers Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist won the drivers’ championship in 1983 and 1984 respectively.
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In the 1990s, Audi turned its attention to touring car racing and endurance racing. The company entered the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) with its Audi V8 model, which won the championship in 1990 and 1991. In endurance racing, Audi introduced the R8 model, which dominated the Le Mans 24 Hours race, winning the event from 2000 to 2005. The R8 was the first car to use diesel technology in endurance racing, and its success helped establish diesel as a viable technology in motorsports.
In the 2000s, Audi continued its success in touring car racing and endurance racing. The company won the DTM championship in 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2012. In endurance racing, Audi introduced the R10 TDI model, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours race from 2006 to 2008. The R10 TDI was the first diesel-powered car to win the event, and its success helped establish diesel as a dominant technology in endurance racing.
In recent years, Audi has expanded its motorsports efforts to include electric racing. The company entered the all-electric Formula E championship in 2017 and has since become a front-runner in the series. In 2020, Audi won the Formula E teams’ championship and Lucas di Grassi won the drivers’ championship.
Audi has had a long and successful history in motorsports, competing in a variety of events and winning numerous championships. The company has been at the forefront of technology in motorsports, introducing new technologies such as all-wheel drive and diesel power to rally and endurance racing. Today, Audi continues to be a major player in motorsports, with a strong presence in electric racing.