Sebring Exclusive
"I am always 100% concentrated and ready for the race"
Marco Werner of Champion Audi
by Margot Orenchuk 
Photos courtesy Margot Orenchuk

SEBRING, Florida (March 19, 2004) -- Champion Audi and defending champion Marco Werner came into the legendary sports car race Mobil 12 hours of Sebring with a mission; to make it 2 in a row and to jump on the top step once again. Marco stunned the ALMS world last year in his maiden ride at Sebring, held by most racers to be one of the toughest tracks in the world, with a win. Unfortunately, the #28 Audi UK car foiled his plans this time. Luckily, Marco has 8 more races this year to prove he is indeed championship material! Mr. Werner took time out of his race weekend to speak to RFM, and then again right afterwards to reflect on the race that was, what went wrong, and how he plans to make things right.

Margot Orenchuk: Did you feel much pressure coming into this race (Sebring 2004) as the defending champion from 2003?

Marco Werner: First Sebring: No, I did not feel any pressure coming to Sebring as the 2003 champion. I won last year – that was a great experience. Sure, I wanted to win again this year, this is always my plan.

MO: NOW do you feel more pressure going into Le Mans?

MW: Le Mans: No, also for Le Mans I feel no pressure. I think we have a good chance to win this year. I’m happy to drive for such a good team and we have a good driver combination. And also the Audi R 8 is a fantastic race car – so we have everything to win the race. We just need a little bit more luck than at Sebring.

MO: What did you learn most last year that will help you this year?

MW: I know the race car better now than last year at this time and I also know all the race tracks now. That will help.

MO: Were you disappointed you didn’t get to qualify the car? Will you 2 be taking turns this year?

MW: No, I was not disappointed. Because I’m new in this team and it is normal that the “senior” driver will be taken for the first race qualifying. And I was happy that JJ got the pole position for us. But yes, we will be taking turns qualifying this year.

MO: What is the worst thing that can happen to you to destroy your concentration?

MW: Nothing. I am always 100% concentrated and ready for the race.

MO: What is it that you do between driving shifts in an endurance race like Sebring?

MW: I just sit in the pits, look at JJ’s and Emanuelle’s drive, have something to eat and try to relax a little bit ...and go to the pipibox. 

MO: What is the strangest thing you saw happen at Sebring?

MW: Some GT driver... there are some drivers who should better drive in club sport races.

MO: Who did you have the worst time with at Sebring? The hardest time on the track overtaking?

MW: The worst time I had with the GT car which drove into my side pods. That accident cost us the victory.

MO: What do you think it is about Sebring that makes it such a challenging track for the drivers?

MW: Because this track is very bumpy and fast and hard for the driver and also for the car.

MO: Tell me about how Audi finally came calling for you to drive.

MW: I was a front runner in the Porsche Supercup and I drove a lot of 24 hours races before, like Daytona, where I won the race in 1995 and some class wins at the 24 hours of Nürburgring/Germany. And my sponsor Infineon, who was the sponsor at the Porsche Supercup is also the main sponsor from Audi.

MO: How are your broken fingers? Did they hurt you more than you thought they would? (Mr. Werner broke his fingers at the Audi training camp!)

MW: Thanks, good, they are getting better. The healing will take some time but even after the race they did not hurt that much as I thought they would. And now I hope that they will be OK again at the next race.

MO: What do you think is going to be the key to winning in Le Mans over Frank & Co?

MW: To have a perfect team, to drive without any mistakes, to have material that will not break and of course to have some luck.

MO: What goes on now for Champion Audi to prepare for Le Mans?

MW: Just a good fitness training and the pre-qualify for Le Mans in April – that’s all.

RFM wants to thank, with the greatest of sincerity – Kaye Wilson, Melissa Grunnah, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner, of whom gave so much of their time before, during and after the most hectic of weekends – Sebring – so that we could give our readers this coverage of Champion Audi Racing. We look forward to more coverage of Audi all year long, and to the charge forward toward Le Mans!!