Audi confirm plans to enter LMS

As part of a big announcement about their motorsport plans at the Essen Motor Show on Friday, Audi also confirmed the teams and drivers that will race the diesel-powered R10 this season.

ALMS champions Allan McNish and Dindo Capello will remain a part of the regular sportscar programme, while Marco Werner and DTM refugee Lucas Luhr will also race the car full time.

The American programme will continue to be handled by Audi Sport North America, while Reinhold Joest's multiple Le Mans-winning squad will handle the proposed LMS project.

The decision to race in Europe is not definite yet, as it will depend on the marketing and TV package that the series will have for next year.

Audi's head of motorsport Wolfgang Ullrich said: "Stable regulations with the clear positioning of the LM P1 sportscar as top category and good TV marketing in Europe are conditions for Audi's factory involvement in both of the Le Mans series."

For the Le Mans 24 Hours, the squad will stick with the same driver line-up that filled their three cars at this year's race.

That means that Frank Biela, who was out of contract with Audi after June of this year, will remain involved with them, while Emanuele Pirro will also only race at Le Mans.

"Audi also wishes to commit the experienced duo (Pirro and Biela) to the brand for the long-term as a result of their unstinting service and loyalty to Audi after their active careers," the squad added in a statement.