Two Audi R8 LMS cars in first five rows of the gridSix Audi drivers in Top-30 qualifyingForecast rain to pose major challenge in the race
The teams of Audi Sport customer racing are entering the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring thoroughly prepared. In the final Top-30 qualifying, the two best Audi R8 LMS cars clinched grid positions in the top ten while all six teams completed their programs for preparation.
The Eifel showed its whimsical side on Friday. A thunderstorm in the afternoon gave the teams a foretaste of a weekend with a changeable weather forecast. The track that was still partially wet in the final qualifying session made for tricky conditions. The best driver from Audi Sport customer racing was Frank Stippler. In his home round, the 41-year-old pro from Bad Münstereifel achieved the fifth-best time in the Audi R8 LMS for Phoenix Racing. The Dutchman Robin Frijns clinched grid position ten for Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, trailed by René Rast (Audi Sport Team Phoenix) in position 16, Pierre Kaffer (Audi Sport Team WRT) in 22nd place following a puncture, and Marc Basseng (montaplast by Land-Motorsport) in position 25. Christian Mamerow (Twin Busch Motorsport), after an accident, only took 30th place.
The two qualifying days were centered on preparation for the 24-hour race distance. “The six teams from Audi Sport customer racing thoroughly geared up for the challenges,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “From the set-up and choice of the right tire compound through to deploying all the drivers, they went through varied programs.”
Three teams had previously secured their grid positions in the second qualifying session. The Audi race experience is entering the race with both R8 LMS cars from rows 18 and 19. Christian Bollrath/Maximilian Hackländer/Ralf Oeverhaus/Micke Ohlsson (D/D/D/S) qualified for position 36 ahead of their teammates Franky Cheng/Marchy Lee/Shaun Thong/Alex Yoong (CN/HK/HK/MAL). Starting from position 46 will be Ronnie Saurenmann/Peter Schmidt/Andreas Ziegler (CH/D/D) in the Audi R8 LMS of Car Collection Motorsport.
The starting flag will fall on Saturday, May 28, at 15:30. RTL Nitro will broadcast the race for nearly 26 hours, starting at 15:00 (CEST). At www.audi-motorsport.com, fans can even watch the race from four perspectives. In addition to the TV view, Audi is offering on-board footage of Audi Sport Team WRT (#1 Pierre Kaffer/Christopher Mies/Nico Müller/Laurens Vanthoor (D/D/CH/B), Audi Sport Team Phoenix (#6 Christopher Haase/René Rast/Frank Stippler/Markus Winkelhock (D/D/D/D) and montaplast by Land-Motorsport (#28 Marc Basseng/Connor De Phillippi/Mike Rockenfeller/Timo Scheider (D/USA/D/D).
Qualifying results
1 Maro Engel (Mercedes #9) 8m 14.515s
2 Augusto Farfus (BMW #18) 8m 16.146s
3 Maximilian Götz (Mercedes #88) 8m 18.380s
4 Uwe Alzen (Mercedes #8) 8m 18.530s
5 Frank Stippler (Audi #5) 8m 19.138s
6 Christian Krognes (BMW #999) 8m 19.390s
7 Nicki Catsburg (BMW #22) 8m 19.862s
8 Nicki Thiim (Aston Martin #7) 8m 20.332s
9 Christian Hohenadel (Mercedes #29) 8m 20.514s
10 Robin Frijns (Audi #2) 8m 20.662s
