Updated 07:36 PM,Jan 18,2022
: For the third time, after 2016 and 2019, Audi Sport customer racing claimed victory in the traditional opening race of the Dubai endurance racing season. The Belgian Audi club team WRT, achieving its first success in six years, secured both first and second places. The crew of Mohammed bin Saud Fahd Al Saud, Axel Jeffrey, Christopher Mies, Dries Vanthoor, and Thomas Neubauer triumphed over their teammates Benjamin Goethe, Arnold Robin, Maxim Robin, Jean-Baptiste Simeon, and Frédéric Vervisch. This win marks the fifteenth overall 24-hour endurance race victory for the R8 LMS GT3 model worldwide since the program's launch in 2009.
Mohammed bin Saud Fahd Al Saud’s victory—representing Saudi Arabia—highlights a significant milestone for the Middle East. It underscores the growing presence of motorsport across the Arab world and showcases emerging talent from the region.
Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport Customer Racing, said: “After securing first and third places for our customers six years ago, and first and second in 2019, we are thrilled to see our teams take first and second again this year.” He added, “Congratulations to WRT team manager Vincent Foss and his drivers. I also extend my best wishes to PK Carsport, Car Collection Motorsport, and AC Motorsport, who completed a perfect weekend by standing on the podium.” WRT dominated the opening round of the 24 Hours Endurance Series. The winning car #7 from MS7 led the race for 301 laps, starting from pole position. Car #31, its sister vehicle, followed closely, leading for 210 laps before finishing just one lap behind. A third competitor completed the top three, two laps behind. Another Audi customer team, Atalanta Racing, finished seventh. Meanwhile, Arkiner Akka from Hanover, Germany, made it into the top ten with a young driver lineup: Alex Akka, Luca Engstl, Finlay Hutchison, Nicolas Scholl, and Florian Scholz.
In the TCR category, Audi Sport customer teams once again fought hard for top positions. AC Motorsport, the previous Dubai TCR winner and runner-up in the 24-hour series last year, finished second in the first-generation RS 3 LMS, driven by Miklas Born, Matthew Dittori, Yannick Meier, and renowned racer Stefan Böhm. However, a rear suspension failure disrupted their momentum after they briefly led the race, ending their hopes of repeating their 2020 success.
The victorious R8 LMS GT4 will be on display at Audi Sport’s Flat 12 café from January 10 to January 20, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
