Audi LMP1 Discussion

[gwyllion]

Murphy recently suggested Audi might leave prototype racing:

Audi: R15+ Last of the Line?

There have been hints that Audi has decided “the way forward” in sports car racing is in GT, not prototype. If so, that continues a world-wide trend amongst manufacturers. Murphy suspects this recent “golden age of prototypes” may soon be behind us, replaced (he can hope) by a “golden age of GT.”

This is now formally denied by Audi:

"Downsizing, energy recovery and electric mobility, as well, will play a major part in future events of the Le Mans 24 Hours,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "I can’t imagine a better platform for Audi than this unique race.”

From 2011 forward, new technical regulations prescribing smaller, even more efficient engines will come into force at Le Mans. Audi Sport has already started to work on the successor model of the current R15 TDI under the project name "R18.”

I decided to beat everybody by starting this placeholder thread for future news on the R18

Evidently the main questions are: open or closed, diesel or petrol and hybrid or not.