Audi Drivers Ponder Future Steps Amid Factory Lineup Closure

Audi Sport’s factory drivers are pondering the next steps for their careers after the German manufacturer announced that its works involvement in sports car racing will stop at the end of this year.

Two weeks ago it was confirmed that Audi Sport will release all 14 of its contracted drivers, who were informed of the development in a group video call on July 11.

Customer teams will still be able to race the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II next year and Audi Sport has confirmed that trackside support will continue, but there will be no more factory-supported race entries and new car production will be quickly phased out.

Several of the affected drivers are competing in this weekend’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup round at the Nürburgring and told Sportscar365 about how they are approaching the situation.

“It’s not good because you basically lose your job, which is for me in the [sixth] year,” said two-time Nürburgring 24 winner Frederic Vervisch.

“It’s quite long to be with the same family. Then you have all the employees who have worked there for longer than I have been there.

“It’s not only affecting us but also the teams that invest in the brand. It changes completely their return on investment.”

Vervisch hopes to remain a factory driver by moving to a new manufacturer but acknowledged that it will be tough considering many others are in the same position.

“14 drivers are redundant at once and on the market again,” he noted.

“There are some new brands going in and a brand going out. I think I have a lot to offer to a manufacturer. I have experience and speed, which could be an advantage.

“But some of the others are younger so can go longer [in their careers]. I think there are opportunities. With the new Le Mans rules and more LMDh [manufacturers], there are some spaces [in GT3]. But some of the LMDh drivers also do GT3.”

One of Audi Sport’s younger members, Mattia Drudi, expressed optimism in his target of securing a factory driver status elsewhere next year.

The 25-year-old was one of multiple drivers to acknowledge that the timing of Audi’s announcement gave a wide enough window for negotiations to take place.

“It’s not like it’s December and it’s late to talk with everyone,” said Drudi.

“In my case, I’m talking with someone. It’s still early, so I want to take August to have some meetings to look at the possibilities. With Audi, we will not be there anymore so it’s time to change.

“It’s already difficult when it’s one or two drivers looking for a spot, but now it’s more than 10. Plus there is always someone new coming around.

“So it’s not going to be easy for us, but I’m not pessimistic.”

Patric Niederhauser, who became an Audi Sport factory driver in 2020, acknowledged that he is in “ongoing” talks with other manufacturers about potential openings.

Reflecting on the recent decision made by the company’s executive board, the Swiss driver told Sportscar365: “I think we are all disappointed.

“It’s just generally bad for GT3 racing and motorsport in general. Most of us don’t really understand it, but it’s the decision of the board and we have to take it.

“With the timing, it’s quite important for us that people know that we’re basically going to be free agents from next year onwards. Let’s see what comes out of it.

“The ideal way to go is with a different manufacturer. My personal goal is to always race in the highest place possible in the most competitive cars. This mostly is [done] with manufacturers.

“But GT3 racing in general is probably changing a bit. There might also be some good options to drive as a privateer. It’s nothing bad for that.”

Mies Looking Towards WeatherTech Championship

The impression that change was afoot at Audi Sport caused some of the manufacturer’s remaining drivers to look for career moves in anticipation of the restructuring.

Several members of the roster decided to leave earlier including Rene Rast, Kelvin van der Linde, Robin Frijns and Dries Vanthoor.

Two-time N24 and Bathurst 12 Hour winner Christopher Mies, meanwhile, hinted at securing a ride in next year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“I had a plan in my mind already at the beginning of the year, so the decision of Audi isn’t affecting me too much,” said the 2012 GTWC Europe Endurance Cup champion.

“So the decision of Audi isn’t affecting me so much. I cannot say too much now because nothing is signed yet.

“But I am a big fan of American racing and IMSA, and my goal is to be on the grid in IMSA next year, in a GT car.”

Mies, who visited the Rolex 24 at Daytona earlier this year, added that the impact of the restructuring goes beyond just the driver lineup.

“What makes me sad is all the engineers back in the garage, data support engineers for the teams and the mechanics,” he said.

“They haven’t done much racing in the last years apart from the factory [supported entries] at Spa and Nürburgring.

“It was a cool time and for them, it’s really sad that they are not going into proper factory racing anymore, also maybe leaving the company. For them, I feel sorry.”