Audi R18 TDI to debut at Spa while Aston Martin watches from the pit lane

Audi R18 TDI to debut at Spa while Aston Martin watches from the pit lane

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Aston Martin, Audi Audi R18 TDI (above) and Aston Martin AMR-One (below right) - Click either image for high-res galleries Theres plenty to be excited about in this years Le Mans racing season, and the new Audi R18 TDI arguably ranks chief among them. Audis new fixed-roof racer will make its debut at the Spa 1000km race next weekend, showing for the first time what it can do against a competitive field ahead of Junes 24 Hours of Le Mans. "Although we tested at Le Mans recently, well learn a lot more about the new Audi R18 TDI and also how it fares against the competition at Spa," said Audis double champion Allan McNish in preparation for the Belgian endurance race. "The 20-minute qualifying session on Friday afternoon will be the first time when well see the true performance of all of the new cars because it will be the first time when everybody is on the same playing field together at the same time." That may not exactly be the case, however, because while Audis chief rival Peugeot is sure to be mounting its own challenge, word has it that Aston Martin will sit this one out. The British team is also fielding a new racer in the AMR-One, but rather than take the opportunity to put its new LMP through the paces in a real racing scenario as Audi will, Astons focus is on testing the car before the main event at La Sarthe. Follow the jump for official press releases from both teams. Gallery: 2011 Audi R18 TDI (final livery) Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin AMR-One [Sources: Audi, Aston Martin]Continue reading Audi R18 TDI to debut at Spa while Aston Martin watches from the pit laneAudi R18 TDI to debut at Spa while Aston Martin watches from the pit lane originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments