Audi Confirms Discontinuation of LMDh Project

Audi Sport has officially confirmed the discontinuation of its LMDh project as part of a shift towards its Formula 1 program.

As first revealed by Sportscar365 in March, the German manufacturer had previously placed its return to top-level prototype competition on hold in favor of an entry into F1.

Since then, the LMDh program was seen as all but shut down, with both prospective factory partner team WRT ending its relationship with Audi and signing BMW to run its 2024 factory effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship instead.

Rene Rast, who won three DTM titles as a factory driver with Audi, also signed with BMW.

On Friday, Audi officially announced plans to move into F1 as an engine supplier beginning in 2026.

Simultaneously, it confirmed the official discontinuation of the LMDh program, bringing to end months of speculation.

“Audi Sport is pooling its strengths for the Formula 1 project and as a consequence is discontinuing its LMDh project,” a statement read.

“The motorsport division had recently suspended the development of the sports car for endurance racing.”

Sportscar365 understands that an Multimatic-chassised Audi LMDh car was in build and just weeks away from the start of on-track testing prior to the manufacturer’s decision to pause the program earlier this year.

Audi, however, has reinforced its continued commitment to customer racing, with the continuation of its GT2, GT3, GT4 and TCR offerings in sports car racing.