The Audi R10 TDI will be the car to beat this weekend for the 12 Hours of Sebring. Two R10s (driven by Marco Werner and defending champion Dindo Capello) will both start in the front row, thanks to some amazing driving during the qualifying rounds by Werner that beat the track record by nearly a second (to 1m 44.974s). Capello qualified for second with 1m 45.326s.

The R10 diesel has had an amazing recent history, and the 2007 version looks to continue the trend. This year, the Audi teams have an additional handicap compared to last year: the fuel tank capacity for diesel sports cars has been reduced by nine liters to 81 liters. This weekend, the R10 TDI will have come into the pits about three laps earlier compared to last year, Audi says.

You can read quotes from Audi team members after the jump.



Related:

• New Audi R10 diesel racer unveiled; makes debut next week at Sebring

[Source: Audi]

Audi pulled the wraps off its revamped diesel-powered sports car this week. The new R10 TDI will make its first race appearance at the Sebring 12-hour race in Florida next week in preparation for the Le Mans 24-hour race later in the season. This year the diesel-powered cars must run with a smaller fuel cell, 81 liters down from 90, to help level the playing field. But Audi and injection specialist Bosch worked over the engine to give it a more useable power curve. Some other changes include lighter diesel particulate filters, improved tires and refined suspension.



[Source: Audi Motorsport via Planet Le Mans]