2000 Audi R8 Debut
Five Le Mans wins in six years.
The Audi R8 is a Le Mans Prototype sports-prototype race car introduced in 2000 for sports car racing as a redevelopment of their Audi R8R (open-top LMP) and Audi R8C (closed-top LMGTP) used in 1999.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 2000
- Car model
- Audi R8
- Winning drivers
- Tom Kristensen
- Emanuele Pirro
- Frank Biela
- Team
- Audi Sport Team Joest
- Class
- LMP900
- Result
- 1st Overall
Lore & Background
The R8 debuted in 2000, winning the 12 Hours of Sebring. It won Le Mans five times (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005) and the overall season championship in the American Le Mans Series six times in a row (from 2000 to 2005).
Reader's Guide
The R8 is powered by a 3.6 L Audi V8 with Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI). Power was officially listed at about 610 hp in 2000, 2001, and 2002, 550 hp in 2003 and 2004, and 520 hp in 2005. The car's structure and body are composed of carbon fibre.
Did You Know?
- The R8 won a hat trick at Le Mans in 2000–2002, campaigned by Audi Sport Infineon Team Joest and driven by Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro, and Frank Biela.
- The Joest pit crew could change the entire rear transaxle in as low as three minutes and 16 seconds.
- The highest speed of the R8 at Le Mans was 338 km/h in practice for the 2002 race.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the drivers behind the 2000 Audi R8 victory?
Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro, and Frank Biela shared the cockpit to secure the win for Audi Sport Team Joest.
What racing class did the debut Audi R8 compete in?
The prototype contested the LMP900 classification during its inaugural appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This category was designed for high-performance sports cars of that era.
Why is the 2000 race considered a turning point for Audi?
It marked the manufacturer's first outright victory, effectively launching a long dynasty at the Circuit de la Sarthe. This triumph also ended a brief period where Porsche had not won since 1998.
How did this win affect previous competitors like Mazda or Peugeot?
The result broke a decade-long trend of varied winners by introducing a new dominant works force to the grid. It shifted the competitive balance significantly toward German engineering in endurance racing.
Did the Audi R8 succeed immediately upon its debut?
Yes, the team achieved 1st Overall on their very first attempt at this prestigious event. Such an immediate success was rare and highlighted the car's superior reliability and speed.
More in Iconic Races & Moments
Elsewhere in 24 Hours of Le Mans
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced