Yahoo Autos The Man Behind Audi's Le Mans Dominance Is Retiring
Since 1993, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich has led Audi Sport to one of the most successful eras of any factory racing team. He's the man behind the company's famous 13 victories at Le Mans, as well as its successful entries into Touring Cars and GT3 racing. But Audi is leaving prototype endurance racing at the end of this season, and Dr. Ullrich s retiring as well.
Autosport reports that Ullrich, who turned 66 in August, will step down as the head of Audi Sport at the end of this season, handing over the reins to Audi's DTM boss Dieter Gass. Ullrich will stay through 2017 to assist the leadership transition, and help guide Audi's switch from sports car prototype racing to to Formula E.
"I will stay, but [Gass] will be the new head of Audi Sport: I will be the old head and help him, like he has helped me over the past years," Ullrich told Autosport.
While it's assumed Audi's withdrawal from LMP1 racing is related to parent company Volkswagen's costly diesel-emissions scandal, Ullrich said he planned his retirement out three years ago–before the scandal became public.
In addition to Formula E, Ullrich will focus on ensuring former employees of Audi's LMP1 program find work in other departments of the company.
"We will not be able to keep everyone, but we hope we can offer them interesting jobs in our road car departments," Ullrich told Autosport.
Gass has big shoes to fill. In addition to Audi's 13 Le Mans victories,Ullrich helped Audi Sport win constructor's titles in DTM and WEC; he also guided Audi to endurance racing victories at the Nurburging, Daytona, Spa, and Sebring. Ullrich also played a pivotal role in developing Audi's first diesel-powered Le Mans prototype, the R10 TDI, which won Le Mans three times in a row between 2006 and 2008, and took home four American Le Mans Series driver's and constructor's championships.
Audi changed the world of endurance racing, and comes only second to Porsche in overall victories at Le Mans. There are a lot of people to credit for Audi's success over the years, but Ullrich was there for it all. His presence in the sport will surely be missed.
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