Laguna Pirro's last race for Audi

The 46-year-old Italian has been with Audi since 1994 and has won the Le Mans 24 hours five times, the ALMS title twice and three touring car titles with the marque.

"A wonderful chapter of my life and career comes to a close," said Pirro. "Even as a hopeless optimist, at the very beginning I would never have dreamt of spending 15 such fantastic and wonderfully successful years with Audi on both a personal and professional level.

"I want to pass on my sincerest gratitude to Audi Sport, all the teams I have driven for and also all my teammates during this time."

Audi motorsport boss Dr Wolfgang Ulrich added: "I would like to extend our thanks to Emanuele for the excellent and extremely successful co-operation over the last 15 years. Throughout this extraordinarily long relationship, many personal experiences and great memories of victories unite us still today."

Pirro's retirement from Audi follows that of fellow marque stalwart Frank Biela earlier this year as the manufacturer looks to freshen up its sportscar driver roster next season. Audi Sport have already given Marcel Fassler two races and will try out Christijan Albers at Laguna this weekend.

Pirro has been offered the opportunity to remain with Audi as a brand ambassador in the future.