In addition, Phoenix Racing will enter two more Audi R8 LMS cars in the race. Six private drivers have been named, as well as, for the first time, young Audi Sport driver Dennis Marschall, runner-up in the 2016 Audi Sport TT Cup, and Frank Stippler, who will again contest the race in two cars. Similarly, Patric Niederhauser will also be on double duty in a private Audi from Car Collection Motorsport. The team is also working on entering another private R8 LMS.
With five victories since 2012, Audi is the most successful manufacturer in the modern GT3 era of the traditional event that was first staged in 1970. In addition to a sixth victory, Audi is also targeting a distance record: In 2014, the victorious Audi Sport Team Phoenix completed 159 laps. In 2017, Audi Sport Team Land completed 158 laps. Race interruptions lasting several hours due to freak weather conditions in 2016, 2018 and 2020 deprived the teams of all chances in the record chase since then. With the summer date at the beginning of June, the chances are good this year that at least this aspect will be of little consequence. A low number of accidents with local caution periods, good teams and driver squads, a sophisticated strategy and a fast and reliable race car like the Audi R8 LMS are the other factors in the hunt for the record.
The Audi Sport teams at the Nürburgring 24 Hours
Audi R8 LMS (Audi Sport Team Car Collection)
Christopher Haase/Nico Müller/Patric Niederhauser/Markus Winkelhock (D/CH/CH/D)
Audi R8 LMS (Audi Sport Team Land)
Kelvin van der Linde/Christopher Mies/René Rast/Frédéric Vervisch (ZA/D/D/B)
Audi R8 LMS (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
Mattia Drudi/Robin Frijns/Frank Stippler/Dries Vanthoor (I/NL/D/B)