Skip advert
Advertisement
Videos

Audi R18 e-tron quattro on track | INSIDE evo

Watch Richard Meaden drive the 2014 Le Mans winning Audi R18 e-tron quattro on track at Misano in Italy

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that before Audi could say ‘want to drive our R18 e-tron qua...’ Richard Meaden had already tied the laces of his race boots.

Flown over to Misano in Italy and faced with the bug and oil splattered 24 Hours of Le Mans race winner, Meaden is shoehorned into the carbon safety-celled LMP1 R18 e-tron quattro Audi, belts fastened and then left to sample over 800bhp of hybrid-diesel racing car. He has just four laps – an out lap, two flying, and then an in lap – to take what he can from the experience. But what an experience. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The number 2 R18 e-tron quattro took part in one of the most exciting Le Mans races in its 82-year history. Rather than dominating like some of its predecessors, its drivers - André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyer – had to fight hard for the victory. And with similarly advanced competition coming from Porsche and Toyota (with whom our own Anthony Davidson won the 2014 WEC title), the race was never going to be easy. That's what makes this dirty race winner so special.

Having won thirteen 24 Hours of Le Mans races from the last fifteen years, Audi’s latest R18 racer is unsurprisingly one of the most advanced four-wheeled machines on the planet. Watch the video above to join Meaden wrestle with big slick tyres and massive levels of downforce on an empty international race circuit, all from behind the wheel of a true legend of modern motorsport.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Audi has already sold part of its F1 team
Audi F1
News

Audi has already sold part of its F1 team

A Qatari sovereign wealth fund is set to take a c30 per cent stake in Audi’s Formula 1 team, which will line up on the grid in 2026
29 Nov 2024
Audi Q6 e-tron 2024 review – a calling card for future Audi EVs
Audi Q6 e-tron – front
Reviews

Audi Q6 e-tron 2024 review – a calling card for future Audi EVs

Audi’s new Q6 e-tron debuts the firm’s PPE architecture, which will go on to underpin its future EVs. Is it a worthy alternative to the Porsche Macan?…
20 Sep 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey front
Reviews

Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy

Did the 992 GT3 RS need to be made more extreme? Posssibly not. We're glad Manthey Racing has done it, though.
28 Apr 2025