Le Mans 24 Hours: Benoit Tréluyer: "This race is incomparable"

Audi Press Release

The most important race event of the year started with technical scrutineering on Sunday. How well did Audi prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

We tested our new racecars for eight hours during the test day a week ago. The unsettled weather conditions meant that the results were less representative for all the teams. However, as at the first two races in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC, we saw just how well the team is prepared from the human aspect, technically and organizationally.

The latest generation Audi R18 e-tron quattro is even more economical and, at the same time, quicker than its very efficient predecessor. What impression do you have of the racecar?

The new Audi is agile and comfortable to drive. This is of course worth its weight in gold during an endurance race. The development steps made each year are always amazing for us racing drivers. It’s impressive to see how the Audi engineers work. We have less fuel available, but as compensation our hybrid system recuperates twice as much energy than before and we are several seconds faster. Be it chassis, engine or aerodynamics – the R18 e-tron quattro feels better in every area than its predecessor.

Le Mans is your home race as well. Although you live in the south of France, you come from Alençon 60 kilometers north of Le Mans. Do you still have any connections with this region?

Yes of course, I spent the last few days here. I was invited to a wedding and also visited my parents who live here. It’s a good feeling to come back to your roots regularly. And of course, I’m looking forward to the race week, because this race is incomparable.

You’ve won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times already with your team mates André Lotterer and Marcel Fässler. How do you feel about this year?

With so many illustrious opponents, the competition is the hardest it has been for some time now. I think the race is completely open. As always, it’s all about getting through quickly and reliably and without making any mistakes. I believe that we’ll only really get an idea about who can win at the earliest at sunrise on Sunday. I’ve trained thoroughly for months and come well rested to the race. The week can begin.

Photo credit: Audi Media

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FIA WEC: Race win for Benoît Tréluyer at the 6 Hours of Silverstone

Benoît Tréluyer Press Release

Benoît Tréluyer and his Audi Sport crew-mates Marcel Fässler and André Lotterer drew first blood in what promises to be an intense FIA World Endurance Championship battle after the reigning Le Mans winners came out on top at last weekend’s season-opening 6 Hours of Silverstone (April 10-12).

It’s Sunday afternoon at the home of British Motorsport and there are 20 minutes of the race remaining. Having prevailed in a mighty scrap with fellow Swiss driver Neel Jani in the Porsche, Fässler enjoys a solid, but not comfortable, lead. Inside the Audi Sport garage the atmosphere is relaxed; all eyes are following the race on the multiple screens and Tréluyer and Lotterer are trading jokes as they watch their team-mate’s progress. All of a sudden, the entire place freezes, tension escalates and faces turn serious. Race Control has just handed the #7 Audi R18 e-tron quattro a stop-go penalty for overtaking and abusing track limits. At first, Benoît and André were dumbfounded. Now, they’re just getting angry!

“Nobody was respecting track limits during my two stints and I radioed the team each time so that they could inform the stewards,” says a frustrated Tréluyer. “Although going wide doesn’t really help you overtake, it does enable you to defend your position. When I was done with my double stint, and handed over to André, I briefly mentioned it to him and discussed the matter with Marcel as well. Since no one was getting penalised, why should we be the only ones not taking advantage of the situation? But instead we ended up being punished for doing the same as everyone else!

“Anything can happen when you rejoin the fray with only eight seconds in hand,” explains Benoît. “If he’s held up by a GT car through a series of corners, we could lose a handful of seconds there. And if the Porsche gets too close it can use its extra power to pass us on the straight.”

Just when the pressure is at its maximum in the garage, Fassler keeps his cool in the #7 Audi and takes the chequered flag to the delight of the Audi Sport pit wall. “Marcel is just your typical Swiss guy, always staying so composed,” jokes an admiring Tréluyer.

Looking back at the nail-biting event, the 2012 WEC champions really had to dig deep in order to secure their first win of 2015.

“As far as epic races go it’s hard to top our 2011 Le Mans win, but I think we came pretty close at Silverstone,” said Benoît, reflecting on the race and his unlucky getaway. “We were a bit disappointed with fifth place on the grid after topping the timesheets during free practice. And at the start, the right gear did not engage so I was swamped by the pack. I quickly recovered and took extra care overtaking the GTs – there’s no point rushing or doing anything foolish just to gain a couple of seconds.”

By the end of lap 2, Benoît had already fought his way back to sixth place and was in hot pursuit of the second Toyota. That was when the serious business started.

“All season openers are a bit of a leap in the dark. We didn’t really know how we stacked up against our rivals in terms of performance so I took a couple of laps to observe and understand, then seized any opportunity that arose. I had a lot of fun! It’s been a while since I had last driven that kind of race. Towards the end of my second stint I was right behind the leading Porsche, overtaking it at Turn 12 and leading into Turn 13 before it got me back on the following straight, just before I pitted. So I only led for one corner but it was still an achievement!”

Everyone knows what happened next: Lotterer and Fässler’s tremendous spells behind the wheel hoisted the #7 Audi crew to the top step of the podium.

“We’re all really happy because the three of us did a great job,” Benoît enthused. “This result comes as a well-deserved reward for all the effort the team have put in over the winter. We knew a win was within reach, and Silverstone just validated that the decisions we made were right. However, the Porsche was very strong – I personally didn’t think they’d be that competitive so long into their stints, which goes to show that we can’t afford to relax. No doubt we’ve got a season-long fight for the championship on our hands. Silverstone is just the beginning!”

Tréluyer and his Audi Sport crew-mates travel to Belgium for round two of this year’s campaign – the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps – which takes place at the grand prix venue on April 30 – May 2.


Photo credit: Audi Media

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FIA WEC: Benoît Tréluyer ready for Silverstone opener

Benoît Tréluyer Press Release

Benoît Tréluyer and Audi Sport’s 2015 World Endurance Championship campaign kicks off at this weekend’s 6 Hours of Silverstone (April 10-12).

Hopeful a fourth Le Mans 24 Hours win as well as his second WEC title alongside regular crew-mates and close friends Marcel Fässler and André Lotterer, Benoît’s expectations echo the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer’s confidence in the new R18 e-tron quattro.

Tréluyer faces the new season in peak physical condition after working hard over the winter break, focused on achieving his and Audi’s goals in 2015 and appreciative of the German giant’s commendable work in preparation for the championship opener.

“We’ve taken a massive step forward since the end of last season,” declared Tréluyer. “Audi has done an amazing job with the engine, aerodynamics and mechanical grip. The horsepower of our V6 TDI 4.0-litre engine has been boosted to 558bhp and we’ve moved up to the 4MJ hybrid sub-class, which should yield more substantial gains. The R18 e-tron quattro itself is completely different to last year’s model, with only the monocoque remaining unchanged.

“Audi’s history shows that the team always makes the biggest strides when they fine-tune one of their existing models. It’s amazing how they come up with such significant upgrades year in, year out. For example, they’ve done a lot of work to the car’s front end and wing, which automatically affects the rear as well. During the Prologue at Paul Ricard, I could physically feel all the improvements to the aerodynamics. I had a blast in the car; even though I’m quite familiar with the track, it was like a whole new experience behind the wheel, particularly round the corners in the first sector!”

Benoît remained fairly tight-lipped about his efforts over the past few months, perhaps out of superstition or to avoid over-confidence. “I don’t think we’ve ever been so well-prepared at the start of the season,” he said. “Marcel, André and I are in peak physical condition – in fact, this is the first time I haven’t put on any weight over the winter! We’re all pleased with how things have gone during testing so far, and feel really positive about the car.”

Although the triple Le Mans winners and 2012 WEC champions are primed to take on this year’s fight, they are equally mindful that it’s going to be the toughest challenge so far.

“The WEC has grown into an extremely competitive series,” admitted Tréluyer. “While a good result at the Le Mans 24 Hours remains our main target this season, we’re also focused on the championship. The prominence of the series has steadily risen over the past three years and I think 2015 could well be the year that WEC cements its status as a major world championship.

“It’s got all the right ingredients and if the season delivers, it will step up and secure its future. You can feel the buzz and enthusiasm around the WEC, which is a real breath of fresh air. Fans were interested last year, but now they want on-track battles and close racing. With three manufacturers fighting for the title and a fourth one about to join the fray, it’s going to be a pretty spectacular show. This championship really gets me fired up!”

For Benoît and his Audi Sport crew-mates, the British round will be a real measure of the progress that’s been made over the last 12 months.

“We’re fortunate that aerodynamics play a significant role at Silverstone,” he suggested. “The only unknown is the track surface. We struggled over the bumpy parts of the circuit last year, especially at Becketts. While this aspect has definitely improved, the question remains: is it enough? Unlike F1, there aren’t 19 or 20 races so every round counts in WEC. Silverstone was our downfall in 2014 because we didn’t score any points, so this year’s season opener is critical to our title hopes.”

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

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GT Tour: André Lotterer and Benoit Tréluyer join Belgian Audi Clubt Team WRT at Spa-Francorchamps

By Tarek Ramchani

André Lotterer and Benoit Tréluyer will join the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT

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TUSC: Benoît Treluyer will join Paul Miller Racing for the Sebring and Daytona test days

By Johan Laubscher

The first TUDOR United SportsCar Championship test days are coming up this weekend, taking place at Sebring, followed by further test days at Daytona later in the week. Benoît Treluyer will be joining newly announced Audi entrants, Paul Miller Racing. 

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FIA WEC: Benoît Tréluyer : Only victory will suffice

Benoit Tréluyer Press Release

Following the two-month break since the previous round at Le Mans, it's a fully refreshed and invigorated Benoît Tréluyer who is eager to begin the second half of this year's FIA World Endurance Championship campaign.

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Le Mans: Benoit Treluyer, Audi, a little luck and Henri

Benoit Treluyer Press Release

Le Mans 24 Hours Preview:

This weekend sees Benoît Tréluyer set out to clinch a third consecutive victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

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Le Mans: Benoît Treluyer in search of serenity

Benoît Treluyer Press Release

Le Mans 24 Hours Test Day: Last Sunday provided drivers with their only opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of the world’s biggest motor race later this month.

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