In a surprise announcement this week Audi confirmed they will withdraw from the FIA World Endurance championship at the end of this year after 18 successful years.
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This means they will not line up for the 24-hour Le Mans race that they have won on 13 occasions, leaving the door open for Porsche, who won this year, and Toyota who almost won this year.
The decision was taken in light of the company’s commitment to the FIA-sanctioned Formula E championship for electric cars from next year, while continuing their long involvement in the German DTM Touring Car championship.
Apart from the Le Mans victories, Audi won a further 93 races and took pole position on 80 occasions as well as scoring 94 fastest laps during their 18-year involvement.
Audi also claimed the drivers and manufacturers titles in 2012 and 2013 so their departure from the competition now raises the question as to how long Porsche and Toyota will continue to compete in the prototype class.
