12 Nov 2011 Zhuhai 6 hours qualifying : Audi second row

Photo : Nicolas COUSSEAU - ACO/Nikon

Photo : Zhuhai (Guangdong province, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA), ZHUHAI 6 HOURS, FREE PRACTICE, November 12, 2011. Tom Kristensen set the best performance for Audi in qualifying.

After qualifying for the Zhuhai 6 hours, the last round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011, the two Audis monopolize the second row of the grid behind the two Peugeot 908.

Tom Kristensen (Driver Audi R18 TDI #2): "Here, it’s about having a good front axle in order to optimally get through the tight turns. Naturally, you’ve got to find the perfect compromise with sufficient traction on the rear wheels. I think we’ve set up a very good race car and will see a very exciting race tomorrow. There’s one thing I can promise: All four Audi drivers are hungry for victory at the finale of the ILMC."

Allan McNish (Driver Audi R18 TDI #2): "I’ve got to say that I’m impressed by the performance that Tom (Kristensen) delivered today. We’re very close to the competition and that should give us another extra boost of self-confidence for the race. We were already competitive here last year with the R15 TDI and we are competitive with the R18 TDI as well - no matter whether we’re on a wet or a dry track."

Timo Bernhard (Driver Audi R18 TDI #1): "The ILMC race at Zhuhai is my first visit to China. It’s an interesting culture and a completely new race track for me, which isn’t exactly easy. It’s a technically demanding track with my many hairpins. We did a good job for the race and were running well on the long runs. That makes me feel optimistic for the race tomorrow. I think we’ll definitely be in contention for victory."

Marcel Fässler (Driver Audi R18 TDI #1): "As always, we set up the car as best we could for the race. Although it tends to understeer - which personally doesn’t suit me so well - I pushed in qualifying. Obviously, we’d have liked being a bit faster, but more wasn’t possible today on fresh tires. Still, I’m looking forward to the race because that’s always an altogether different story."

The start of the 6 Hours of Zhuhai will be tomorrow, Sunday 13th November at 11:00 local time (3:00am UK).. Click here for more information on the final race of the ILMC 2011. Qualifying results HERE.

(Source: Audi press information)