"It goes without saying that we want to get a good result for Audi on the R10 debut and ring in a new motor sport era with the diesel sports car. However, I would like to stress that Sebring is first and foremost a dress rehearsal for the Le Mans 24-Hour Race. Our tests in Sebring went well. We know exactly how risky the first race is for a completely new car", said Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.

The Audi R10 is powered by a V12 TDI engine producing almost 650 hp and has more than 1100 Nm of torque available. It follows in the wheel tracks of the Audi R8, which is the most successful Le Mans Prototype ever, with 61 victories from 77 races to-date.

Audi has won the 12-hour race at Sebring six times in succession with the R8 since 2000. The R8 is, as a result, the most successful sports car ever to have competed in this race.