Audi’s expected return to prototype racing in 2023 within the new LMDh ranks has undergone a surprising development. RACER has learned that the German manufacturer will not be doing factory participation campaigns in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, opting to focus on a single factory program in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The change comes after the brand actively pursued an American partner team to present LMDhs on its behalf. RACER understands the conversations with those potential teams (at least one of which reached an advanced stage) that Audi broke down after making the decision to focus on the FIA WEC.
While no factory-directed Audi LMDh entry is anticipated at IMSA, talks have begun with customer teams and it is believed that one or more cars affiliated with the works could be on the grid for the 2023 WeatherTech Championship.
Despite great success in the 2000s with full factory prototype programs and semi-finished efforts in the American Le Mans Series, the relationship between Audi AG and Audi of America often strained to the point of being irreconcilable with its shared efforts of motor sports in the US
It is unclear whether the persistent corporate problems of former career projects involving Germany’s main corporate arm and its US subsidiary have been a factor in the decision to focus on the FIA WEC, or whether they arose different problems and led to the disappearance of the presence of LMDh in the Audi factory. and IMSA.
On another front with the LMDh project, it seems that recruitment has begun as several sources have told RACER that IMSA DPi champion Felipe Nasr is one of the first drivers signed by Audi.
Multiple attempts to get an official comment on Audi’s changing strategies were unsuccessful.