Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich is set to step down from his position as Audi’s head of motorsport at the end of 2016, according to a report from Sportscar365.
Ullrich has overseen Audi’s motorsport interests since 1999, playing an integral part in its dominance of endurance racing over the past two decades.
However, with Audi calling time on its involvement in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the end of the year, Ullrich will also be stepping down from his position.
The 66-year-old will hand the reins over to current head of DTM at Audi, Dieter Gass, before retiring at the end of 2017.
“This was planned for quite some time. It needed to be organized with the board and we have not officialized it, but that’s what we’re going to go for,” Ullrich is quoted as saying by Sportscar365.
“The good thing on this decision is that we now have one year to build Audi Sport the way it’s orientated for the new program.
“And maybe when I go, he has it in his hands and not needs to do it alone.”
Audi’s efforts will now be focused on Formula E, where it is set to step up its involvement to a factory level as of the fourth season, which is due to start in the fall of 2017.