The Audi R15 TDI’s have always been some of our favorite LMP1 cars to watch and photograph; 2011 was certainly no exception and in it’s final year of racing the R15’s took both 4th and 5th place overall.
The R15 TDI features a 5.5 litres (336 cu in) Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel V10 engine, rated at over 590bhp and 774 lbf·ft of torque. The electrical system uses a lithium-ion battery, a first for Audi sports prototypes, as well as LED headlights, and a unique system of LED rear lights that are mounted on the rear wing endplate.
The R15’s final race was at the 2011 Sebring 12 Hours. Both cars ran in 2010 configuration with new restrictors. The #1 Audi finished 5th overall after 2 consecutive tyre punctures and rear bodywork damage in the hands of Mike Rockenfeller. Later in the race the #1 had to serve a penalty for speeding in pitlane. The #2 ran at the front exchanging the lead with Peugeot until a shunt by one of the Peugeots at turn 17 put Capello out of contention with a suspension failure. The #2 finished 4th overall, albeit 5 laps down from the winning Oreca Peugeot. Throughout its career the R15 won 3 of the 10 races it entered; Sebring in 2009, Paul Ricard and Le Mans in 2010.
