Is Audi Returning to Endurance Racing?

A rumor that could shake up the world of endurance racing — between WEC and IMSA — is becoming increasingly intriguing. According to a post on Audi official profile, it seems highly likely that the Bavarian brand might be planning a comeback to endurance competitions.

Just yesterday, a user asked in the comments whether the four-ringed brand was really returning to the top endurance series. Audi’s response? “We can’t share any further information, stay tuned.”

A brief statement that opens up endless interpretations — and if confirmed, it would be a sensational piece of news. After all, Audi is one of the most successful manufacturers in endurance history. They boasted 13 victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1999 and 2014, with only three exceptions: 1999, 2003, and 2009.

A history of Endurance and WEC success

Since the birth of the World Endurance Championship, Audi has also claimed two world titles, in 2012 and 2013. In the first year, the winning crew consisted of André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer, and Marcel Fässler, while in 2013 the crown went to Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen, and Loïc Duval.

The German manufacturer decided to leave the WEC in 2016, choosing instead to focus on Formula E, with the goal of developing cutting-edge electric technology to later transfer to its road models.

Now, however, it seems that Audi might be rethinking its decision, ready to comeback into one of the most prestigious and followed championships in the world. The question is: will it be in the Hypercar class or the GT3 category?

After its withdrawal from racing, the Bavarian brand also halted support for semi-official teams and, most notably, for its factory team. This led to the near disappearance of the R8 from the starting grids.

The car in question, the R8 LMS GT3, uses the same V10 engine found in the outgoing Lamborghini Huracán. Its successor, the Temerario GT3, is set to debut in 2026, powered by a brand-new twin-turbo V8.

Here you have a dedicated post to Lamborghini new GT3 weapon: Lamborghini Huracan: last dance in GT series

The last Audi Endurance monster, the R18 TDI

The last Audi prototype comparable to today’s Hypercars — known at the time as LMP1 — was the R18 TDI, introduced in 2011. The Germans took a bold step by embracing what was then a major motorsport innovation: a diesel engine, which over the years was offered in several configurations ranging from 3.7 to 4.0 liters, with six cylinders, both in hybrid and non-hybrid versions.

It proved to be a winning gamble. With the R18, Audi captured the 2012 and 2013 WEC World Championships, confirming the project’s excellence and the brand’s technical superiority in endurance racing.

Now, if Germany has truly decided to comeback to the top endurance series, it would be phenomenal news, eagerly awaited by fans worldwide. However, as is often the case, it’s easy for hype to build around a rumor that might never actually come to fruition.