At the American Le Mans Series finale at Laguna Seca (US state of California) on 18 October, the former Dutch Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers starts together with Emanuele Pirro (Italy) for Team Audi Sport North America. The Audi R10 TDI with start number 2 will be driven by the usual German duo of Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner.
The 29-year old Christijan Albers raced in Formula 1 between 2005 and 2007. The Dutchman has been racing an Audi A4 in the DTM for Audi customer team Futurecom TME since the beginning of the year. He completed his first kilometres with the Audi R10 TDI at an Audi test track and during several demonstration laps at the DTM race at Zandvoort.
"After having raced an Audi in the 2008 DTM up till now, I’m delighted to have been given this chance by Audi,” says Christijan Albers. "I consider it a special treat to be able to compete in an Audi R10 TDI at Laguna Seca. Together with Emanuele Pirro I hope to be able to achieve the targets Audi sets us at the season finale in America. My career in motorsport spans 16 years but this race still represents something completely new: I’ve never competed in a sportscar race and have never raced at Laguna Seca. I’m happy to learn and really looking forward to the race.”