With this recurring column, ooooIYKYK aims to summarize activities of Audi racing campaigns and competition endeavors. This weekly series brief updates of results, preparation, happenings and rumors pertaining to on track activities. See a full calendar of motorsport activities involving Audi Sport factory, customer and Sauber F1 teams maintained HERE.
OPEN WHEEL RACING – F1
The Chinese Grand Prix has come and gone, so the 2025 season is beginning to find its pace. In addition to race results, there are a number of rumors floating around. Let’s dig in
ROUND #2, HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX
Next Round: Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka Circuit (Apr 3 – Apr 6)
Sauber Chinese Grand Prix Race Results
Early incidents in the Chinese Grand Prix didn’t make for an easy race for the Sauber team. Gabriel Bortoleto spun into the gravel on lap one, requiring the rookie to pit for a new set of tires. Also on the first lap, Nico Hulkenberg’s car picked up damaged that weighed on the performance of his car.
Beat Zehnder, Director Signature Programs & Operations:
“It’s unfortunate that our race was effectively decided on the first lap. Nico had a big snap in turn three and nearly spun: he was able to save it but ended up running over the kerb and gravel. Telemetry showed he lost a major amount of aerodynamic performance immediately afterwards and that made it a very challenging race for him: to Nico’s credit, he brought the car to the end despite such difficult conditions. Gabriel’s race was also compromised in the opening stages: he was battling Bearman when he lost downforce and spun, losing considerable time and requiring an early stop for new tyres. From there, it was always going to be difficult to make it back. On a positive note, Gabriel’s pace in the final stint on hard tyres was strong, matching our direct competitors. The encouraging takeaway is that both cars completed the race, our overall pace throughout the weekend was encouraging and the operations went smoothly, even with the added challenge of yesterday’s incident in the Sprint. There’s still plenty of work to be done, of course: the field is tight, and every marginal improvement counts on track. Whichever team brings those tenths first will gain the advantage, so we must keep pushing hard.”
Nico Hulkenberg (Cảr #27):
Race result: 18th
Fastest lap: 1:37.275 (Lap 35)
Strategy & Pit Stops: Start (New Medium) – Lap 21 (New Hard)
“It’s been a character-building day for us. Unfortunately, right after the start I went wide in turn one and then almost lost the car in turn three, when I went off track through the gravel. I lost a couple of positions in that moment but, more frustratingly, I picked up substantial damage to the floor of my car which significantly affected the aero balance. I think our performance wasn’t too bad pace-wise, considering the damage we carried. The positive takeaway from today is that we finished the race and got mileage to gain some experience with the new car. It’s still early days, and I am already looking forward to go again in Suzuka in two weeks’ time.”
Gabriel Bortoleto (Car #5):
Race result: 17th
Fastest lap: 1:35.874 (Lap 28)
Strategy & Pit Stops: Start (New Medium) – Lap 2 (New Hard) – Lap 27 (New Medium)
“Today was definitely not an ideal race; after Lap 1, it was all about recovering and getting as much information as possible about the car. Although our position wasn’t favourable, it was good to be able to continue and finish the race as it was my first full dry race. I took it as a chance to learn more about tyre management and our pace, understanding how we stand compared to the others. It’s difficult to say where we could have been with a cleaner race; I obviously wanted this weekend to be more positive. It is what it is, now we move on and get back to the factory to analyse our learnings from these first two races and prepare for Suzuka.”
SPORTSCAR RACING – GT and Touring Car Customer Racing
IMSA MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE
Hagerty Joins IMSA as Official Partner
Hagerty and IMSA have announced a multi-year partnership agreement aimed at connecting the two brands together in order to better serve the automotive enthusiast space. As a result of the deal, Hagerty will maintain a presence at each IMSA event, creating an enhanced experience on-site and online.
One notable element is the “Hagerty Race Passport” that will be an interactive guide that will draw attention to the best viewing areas, not-to-miss attractions, photo opportunities and race activities in order to maximize the race weekend experience for fans.
Members of the Hagerty Drivers Club will receive IMSA benefits, including discounts on merch and other promotions.
INTERCONTINENTAL GT CHALLENGE
Five Audi Entries in 60-Car GT3 Field Confirmed for 77th 24Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
The CrowdStrike 24 Horus of Spa is looking to be hosting a banner year of entries this year, with 60 GT3 cars already confirmed, a group that already includes at least five Audi entries. The field includes ten brand manufacturers, including Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, McLaren and Porsche. Set for June 25-29, we’ve still got three months until the event is under way, which leaves time for potentially even more contenders to step to the plate.
Pirelli Introduces P Zero DHG for GT Racing
Continuing its tie-in with GT racing around the globe, Pirelli has launched its latest generation P Zero DHG that is both high-performance and FSC-certified natural rubber compound. The tires will be used in SRO Motorsport Group’s GT2, GT3 and GT4 championships around the globe. More HERE.
INTERNATIONAL GT OPEN
Christopher Haase and Simon Reicher Pilot R8 LMS GT3 for Austrian Team’s International GT Open Program
With so many veterans of the Audi Sport customer racing program having moved on to other brands as Ingolstadt’s customer program has become stepped down entering the F1 era, it’s great to see Christopher Haase still racing for Audi. Haase joins Simon Reicher in Eastalent Racing Team’s R8 LMS GT3 for the 2023 International GT Open season.
Peter Reicher, Eastalent Racing Team Boss:
“I am very happy that we managed to secure Christopher Haase for our team after his time as an Audi Sport driver. I am confident that Eastalent Racing will continue to develop in great strides with him. Winning a ‘triple crown’ in the International GT Open is the goal for 2025. I have full confidence we can go for it with my team, drivers and engineers. Personally, I have made it my mission to ensure the car is in perfect condition and we have the best people to make things happen, the rest is my responsibility. We want to win another championship, make history in the GT Open, and at the same time, position ourselves for a potential manufacturer switch in 2026.”
GT WORLD CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA GT3
OnlyFans-Sponsored R8 LMS GT3 and Driver Renee Gracie Return to Australian GT
For her third season on the grid, driver Renee Gracie will enter as a solo driver in her Melbourne Performance Centre (Team MPC) supported R8 LMS GT3 Evo2. Though her presence on and sponsorship by OnlyFans.com tends to get the most attention, it’s worth noting that the young driver has been making steady improvement in her driving performance.
Renee Gracie
Audi R8 LMS Evo2 #131
“I’ve never had to share a car before until last year when I teamed with Paul and it was amazing, it was great, and something I was apprehensive about at the beginning, but by the end of the year it was awesome to do.
“I’ve been reclassified as a Bronze, so I’ll race in the Am Class. Being able to copy and paste to be racing with the same team in the Audi we raced last year is something I’ve never done in my motorsport career, but I think there’s a level of excitement knowing nothing else has changed. I can use all the experience from last year and take it onboard for this season, so I am looking forward to doing that.
“I’ll spend the maximum amount of time in the car, so I can really see myself improving throughout the year and it gives me a great platform to develop in my third year now in the category.
“I’m here to stay if I can and I have no intention of going anywhere else.”
GT WORLD CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA GT4 AUSTRALIA
Nippy’s Audi R8 GT4 to Join GT4 Australia Silver Cup Battle
Open-wheel driver Blake Purdie will be shifting to an Audi R8 LMS this season for the Australian GT4 championship, joined by South Australian driver Daniel Price. The program will be sponsored by Nippy’s fruit juice and milk products and operated by Jam Motorsport.
GT4 Australia will hold its season opener at GT Festival Phillip Island at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries on April 4-6.
GT WORLD CHALLENGE ASIA SRO GT Cup
Chen Weian Victorious in First Round of GT4 Championship During F1 Chinese Grand Prix Weekend
During the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Chen Weian of Harmony Racing / Harmony Winhere Racing took home the victory in the inaugural round of the GT4-focused SRO GT Cup in his Audi R8 LMS GT4. Chen started the race in P4, moving up to take the lead dramatically on the final lap. In Round 2, he repeated his blistering performance by starting in P11 and finishing second on the podium.
Alexander Blackie, Head of Audi Sport customer racing Asia
“What a weekend it was for Chen Weian and Harmony Winhere Racing with the R8 LMS GT4. To take the first race win with a move in the final sector of the last lap and then follow it up with a charge from 11th to 2nd in race two in front of the thousands of Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix fans made this truly a weekend to remember,” said Alexander Blackie, Head of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.
UPCOMING ROUNDS: WEEK 14 (MAR 30-APR 6)
Sidenote: See full season calendar HERE.
28-30 – GT World Challenge / GT America, Sonoma Raceway, USA 🇺🇸 – GT3
04-06 – F1 Lenovo Grand Prix of Japan, Suzuka Circuit, Japan – F1
04-06 – GT World Challenge, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Australia – GT3
05-06 – British GT Championship, Donington Park, UK – GT3
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