World Rally Champion in Audi R8 at ADAC GT Masters

World Rally Champion takes to the track: Volkswagen driver Sébastien Ogier will be running as a guest entrant for customer sport team Prosperia C. Abt Racing in the ADAC GT Masters. The French Volkswagen driver, reigning champion in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and current leader of this season's standings in a Polo R WRC, will contest the third round of the sports car series. His team-mate is the 2012 FIA GT1 World Champion Markus Winkelhock. The two World Champions from completely different motorsport disciplines will share an Audi R8 LMS ultra with 550-hp at the Lausitzring.

“I’m looking forward to my first race in the Audi R8 LMS ultra of Team Prosperia C. Abt Racing”, said Sébastien Ogier. “I'm not familiar with the Lausitzring yet, but I have visited the ADAC GT Masters at Oschersleben. The drivers’ field is strong. With Markus Winkelhock at my side, I also have a very fast and experienced team-mate. We’ve already had our first joint briefing and he showed me the cockpit. His tips are helping me to start the weekend perfectly prepared. And remember, the Audi and Prosperia C. Abt Racing have been on the podium each time this season. With me as a GT rookie it will obviously be difficult, but I’m going to do my best.”

The 30-year-old Frenchman, who made his circuit debut in 2013 at the Porsche Supercup in Monaco during the F1 Grand Prix weekend, was given some initial advice on Thursday. Following a joint photo shoot at the race track, Winkelhock showed the rally pro how to handle the R8 LMS ultra. “Here it’s better not to drive through the dirt, but to make sure you stay on the road,” jested the German. “But all jokes aside, it’s fascinating to compete in the ADAC GT Masters alongside a world star like Sébastien Ogier. He’s not driving here just for fun, he is ambitious and eager to be successful. Plus, we’re sharing one of the best GT race cars in the world, the Audi R8 LMS ultra.”

Team Prosperia C. Abt Racing won the team standings in the ADAC GT Masters last year and, two weeks ago at the second race weekend of the series, clinched four podium places in the races at Zandvoort. At Lausitz, another 60-minute single race is scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday. With 23 worldwide title wins since 2009, the Audi R8 LMS ultra is one of the most successful GT3 sports cars of its time.

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