As a manufacturer entering its first F1 season as an official team, Audi brought fresh experiences to the Miami Grand Prix, held last Sunday (3) in the Hard Rock Stadium area. The brand showcased the Audi RS5, an electrified model that made its official debut through the F1 Pirelli Hot Laps. It marked the first time a car from the four-ring brand took part in the activity. Practically, guests were able to ride alongside Markus Wilkelhock, a driver who competed in a Grand Prix at the sport’s highest level, on a quick lap around the 5,412-meter track.
The sports car is powered by a setup that includes a 2.9-liter V6 biturbo engine and an electric motor of 130 kW, which together produce 639 hp. The RS5 reaches a top speed of 285 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Additionally, the vehicle features the Quattro Dynamic Torque Control system, which allows the wheel with the greatest grip to receive more power, helping to avoid the so-called oversteer.
Wilkelhock had a curious stint in F1. The German, who built his career in endurance racing, competed in a single GP in the sport’s top category, the 2007 European Grand Prix, for Spyker. Interestingly, the driver opted to start from the pits with wet-weather tires, and rain fell shortly after the race began, allowing him to take the lead after everyone had pitted. The German led six laps and retired on lap 13 of 60. The driver spoke about what it was like to participate in Audi’s activities in Miami.
Rodrigo França: Markus, as a driver with experience in DTM, Formula 1, and endurance racing, what did this opportunity to take guests for a real lap here in Miami mean to you?
Markus Wilkelhock: Yes, it was definitely very cool. In fact, that’s why I decided to say yes when Audi asked if I’d be available or had time to do this six or seven times a year. Because people often ask me what it feels like to drive quickly on a race track. Okay, we’re talking about a road car now, not an F1 car, but even so, you can give passengers a small idea of what it’s like to be in a fast car on a race circuit. I gave them a little taste of that. And that’s always what I enjoy. When I see people getting out of the car with a big smile on their faces, that’s why I was definitely looking forward to doing this kind of work this year with F1. It’s a brand-new Audi car, really cool. I also took part in development tests. I logged many miles on the Nordschleife, for example. I did some adjustments, tested a lot there. That’s why it’s great to be in this brand-new Audi on tracks like this. It’s something very special for me as well.
RF: We know there’s a margin, a limit you can’t exceed. But for the person sitting next to you in the car, it’s like a roller coaster ride, right?
MW: For most people, it’s like a little roller coaster, that’s true. We go fast, but you don’t go all the way to the limit. Because in a race car you have to go at 100% all the time, but not in a road car with a passenger. There’s always some safety margin. But as you say, it’s still fast enough for the passengers to have fun.
RF: It makes perfect sense for Audi to be in Formula 1. But what is it like for you to see the four rings here in the paddock?
MW: It’s also very new to me. I had to get used to it when I saw the car’s presentation in Germany. But it’s cool to see them taking on this challenge. Because, surely, this is the highest level of world motorsport. Competing here certainly isn’t easy. You need to have patience, but they have a goal. And if you look at Audi’s history, they’ve achieved every goal they set in motorsport. Be it in Rally, in DTM, or in Le Mans. So they accepted the next challenge, and I don’t think we should expect a world title this year, probably not next year either. It takes a little time, but I’m very convinced that Audi is giving 100% to achieve its targets. And we’ll see what the future holds.
RF: How has it been following Gabriel Bortoleto? It’s his second year in F1, the first with Audi as well. He’s already shown to be an experienced driver, just like Nico Hulkenberg. How do you think he’s doing in Formula 1 so far?
MW: Very well. F1 is much more complicated, much tougher than it looks from the outside. I was out of the F1 paddock for 19 years. I only followed the races on TV and the internet. But there are so many things happening behind the scenes that most people don’t know. I think he (Bortoleto) is doing a great job. Also, for me, Nico has been, in recent years, a driver who was often underrated. For much of his career he was competing against Sebastian Vettel, for example. He was winning all the races with Red Bull back then. But, for me, he was never in the right moment, in the right car. And that’s definitely something very important in F1. So I think if you look at Nico’s qualifying performance, he could have been in the right moment, in the right car, probably almost as fast as Sebastian Vettel or as successful as him.
