Audi has made three changes to its sportscar line-up this year, as it attempts to regain the Le Mans 24 Hours crown from Peugeot.

This week’s AUTOSPORT magazine revealed that three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner has been dropped and Alexandre Premat will focus on the DTM, while former American Le Mans Series champion Lucas Luhr is not expected to feature.

The trio has been replaced by Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer, who will share one of the R15s at Le Mans this year.

Fassler raced twice for Audi in the ALMS in 2008 and raced at Le Mans for Chevrolet in 2009. Lotterer won last year’s Japanese Super GT title and drove a Kolles-run Audi R10 at Le Mans, while Treluyer raced a Pescarolo-run Peugeot 908 in last year’s 24 Hours.

“In view of our strong competitors, we have to be perfectly positioned in terms of drivers,” said Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich. “Marcel, Andre and Benoit attracted our attention during the past two years and we are convinced they are a very good combination for Le Mans.”

“For the time being plans for them are fully focused on Le Mans 2010, but all three of them are still relatively young and may become part of our sportscar project over the long term.”

“For me, having the chance to be part of the Audi team this year is incredible,” said Fassler. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and expect the R15 to be competing for overall victory.”

Lotterer added: “I’m proud about having been selected by such a successful team, this is a major step in my career. Last year as a Le Mans rookie I learned a lot, now I’ve got the chance to compete for a top-class team.”

Treluyer said: “I’d never have expected to immediately get a slot with a factory team for Le Mans after my return from Japan. With Andre and Marcel, we’ve got a car in which we can clinch overall victory.”

Was nice to get back in our  champion car, you always have a special feeling about a car that gave you success!

Test went well, speed was good so far. Ended up fastest with the same lap time as my good friend Ben with his Nismo GT-R and Michelin tires this time. Ok, he was 4/100th faster….  LAP TIME  1:52,5

We don’t know which games Honda are playing with their new car because they are almost 2 sec. off the pace and 15 km/h slower then us the straights. Looks like they are using a small engine restrictor or a lot of handicap weight. You can also simply call it “SANDBAGGING”….

Photo Copyright by Noriaki Mitsuhashi N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY

Somebody had fun with his camera and composed a hole lap of Suzuka.

Although I was real busy with my test and taking off to Europe right after it, I didn’t wanna miss to visit my friends from DITA EYEWEAR in Daikanyama. Always nice to see them, specially this time! They welcomed me with a new pair of LANCIER frames! They really are on top of eyewear quality and style! LANCIER meaning LAND – SEE – AIR.  Im a LAND man in action behind the wheel so  with these polarized lenses I can see as sharp as … what… an eagle… yeah!

it’s time! Off season break is over and I’m back in Japan for a 3 day GT test in Suzuka to kick off 2010!

I got a warm welcome to Japan! Original and symbolic! First, the usual view of the rising sun I get on most flights during arrival. Then, the skies were real clear so I could see Mt Fuji before I landed. And finaly, even today he follows me to Suzuka looking at it from the bullet train. Nice to be back!

Back in action after the hollidays, I went to visit Ben and his family at his home in France for a couple of days and then we all took off to Seefeld for a full on training week. Nothing new for me but for Ben it was. I enjoyed a lot training with him and I think he felt great here to! Helmut, my trainer ,took good care of us and made us sweat a lot aaaalll day long… Great to keep in shape for the new year!

Alhough its not a real car it prety much looks like it! A nice preview of what our car could look like if we use the Lexus LF-A in the future. Super GT cars look so impressve. They are 2 meters wide.