Audi took part in a special ‘farewell lap’ in the minutes leading up to its final race in the FIA World Endurance Championship in Bahrain on Saturday afternoon.
Audi announced last month that it would be withdrawing from the WEC and Le Mans following the 2016 season, ending an 18-year stint in the premier class of sportscar racing.
The German marque makes its final start today in the 6 Hours of Bahrain, with the no. 8 Audi R18 starting from pole position.
Despite its sister no. 7 car starting only third on the grid, both Audis were given the chance to lead the field for the first of the two formation laps in Bahrain.
With the WEC’s safety car being an Audi R8, fans were offered a chance to see an Audi 1-2-3 as race director Eduardo Freitas offered a thank you message.
Let's honour @audisport together by this #6hBahrain "Farewell Lap" ahead of the RACE START.#WEC #WECFamilyForever pic.twitter.com/lYjQcBOYjA
— FIA World Endurance Championship (@FIAWEC) November 19, 2016
With just over 30 minutes of the race complete, Audi’s pole-sitting no. 8 car leads the way courtesy of Loic Duval, with the no. 7 running second following a fine pass by Marcel Fassler early on.