Quotes of the Audi drivers after the tests at Le Castellet

Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1): "This was a good test day which helped us to gain a better understanding of this year’s car. We managed to complete our test schedule without any major problems. I’m happy, as well, to be racing in Europe again.”

Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #1): "Generally speaking, I’m delighted that competing in the LMS gives me the chance to contest a racing series in Europe again. The test today went well. We were able to work out a basic set-up with the new car. I was also quite happy with the new Michelin tyres.”

The quickest times on Sunday

1 Audi R10 TDI #1 1m 39.705s
2 Audi R10 TDI #2 1m 40.777s
3 Courage-Oreca-Judd #5 1m 42.631s
4 Creation-AIM #14 1m 43.285s
5 Pescarolo-Judd #16 1m 43.473s
6 Lola-Aston Martin #10 1m 43.598s

For Audi Sport Team Joest, the test at Le Castellet served as the roll-out for the racing cars fielded in the Le Mans Series that starts with the 1,000-kilometre race at Barcelona (Spain) on 6 April. The two newly prepared Audi R10 TDI cars reeled off a total of 162 laps (almost 1,000 kilometres) without any major problems. "The morning started off a bit slowly but in the afternoon and evening the drivers were very satisfied with the cars," said Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director of Audi Sport Team. "It was good to have the opportunity to extensively test the cars before the first race at Barcelona.”

All four LMS drivers, Dindo Capello, Allan McNish, Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller, participated in the test. With 1m 39.705s, McNish on soft tyres clearly set the day’s best time. Prémat in the "sister car” set the quickest time on a slightly harder tyre compound with 1m 40.777s. The Frenchman was at the wheel of an R10 TDI for the first time after more than six months and drove some additional laps at night in darkness.

All four Audi drivers completed different programmes and were obviously impressed with the 2008-spec Audi R10 TDI. For the 2008 season, the diesel-powered sportscar was subjected to further development in certain details including optimised aerodynamics, lower weight and a revised engine.

On Monday, Audi Sport Team Joest will not be testing any more at Le Castellet as the material for the 12-hour race at Sebring (USA) has to be delivered to the Frankfurt airport on Tuesday. At the American Le Mans Series season opener on 15 March two other newly prepared Audi R10 TDI cars will be used.