Due to changes in the rules, Audi is re-considering its participation in the American Le Mans Series. “After all the discussion in the last two weeks, we are rethinking whether we compete in the ALMS,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, the head of Audi Motorsport, in an interview with Globecast Radio.

Following the most recent IMSA technical bulletion, which allows the LMP2 to run with a 5 percent larger restrictor, Audi has threatened to not participate in the ALMS after the Sebring race. Ullrich said that Audi’s R10 TDI race cars will be at the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, but will evaluate the rest of its program if the full ACO rules are not adopted.

With a 5 percent larger restrictor, the LMP2 cars should at least run even with the LMP1 cars, like the Audi R10 TDI. Audi is obviously upset over this development, since it would likely greatly diminish the return on investment that Audi expects from racing in North America. I understand IMSA’s desire to increase competitiveness, considering there is only one other non-Audi entrant in LMP1, but Audi spent a lot of money developing the R10. All of the development was based on a set of rules that has changed, and nobody wants to be beaten by a smaller team.

Audi has made similar claims before. While Audi could pull out of the ALMS, what may be more likely for them to skip a few races, especially those tight tracks that could favor the LMP2 cars.

## Source: Planet Le Mans ##

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