Julius Seebach has been appointed to the management of Audi Sport GmbH as of May 1. At Audi since 2015, he was initially responsible for strategy and powertrain control in the Technical Development division. In 2017, he successfully introduced model-series management at Audi Sport and has since been in charge of the RS 4/RS 5 and RS 6/RS 7 Sportback series. Previously, the industrial engineer and MBA was at Porsche, where he was involved in various projects of the Panamera model series and in powertrain development. Together with Oliver Hoffmann, Seebach will manage the business of the wholly-owned Audi subsidiary in the future.
As of May 1, Oliver Hoffmann will hold two management positions at the Audi group: Head of Technical Development at the Neckarsulm site and Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “Transformation means becoming even more effective and innovative,” emphasizes Hans-Joachim Rothenpieler, Member of the Audi Board of Management for Technical Development. “By combining both positions with Oliver Hoffmann as an experienced expert, we are strengthening Neckarsulm as a technology location and at the same time securing its future viability.” Hoffmann’s previous career positions include quality management at Automobili Lamborghini and at Audi’s plant in Győr, Hungary, as well as the development of the V10 high-performance engines of the Audi R8.
The former Managing Director, Michael-Julius Renz, is leaving the company within the framework of an age regulation. With his international experience, he has made a significant contribution to the growth of AUDI AG and the Audi Sport brand. A graduate in business administration, he has held various management positions at AUDI AG over the past 25 years. The company thanks Renz for his dedicated and successful work. Before taking over as Managing Director of Audi Sport at the beginning of 2018, he was President of the Audi Sales Division China, where he was responsible for sales and the brand’s presence in one of the most important markets. Previously, Renz had been in charge of Sales Europe and Central Marketing for the Audi brand, among other things.
Audi R8 LMS GT4
With eight cars, Audi is the strongest brand in the field in terms of numbers. During the final pre-season tests at the Lausitzring, the new Audi RS 5 DTM with its more than 610-hp two-liter four-cylinder turbo engine was the fastest car. Even so, nobody ventures a prediction before the first 2019 DTM race.
The tradition started exactly ten years ago: the first Audi Cup was held in 2009 as part of the celebrations for Audi’s 100th birthday. Since then, the Cup has become one of the best-known and most prestigious pre-season tournaments in Europe. FC Bayern have won the trophy three times, while FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid have each held the top spot once.
Gordon Shedden, who had harvested points at all three races of the opening round in Morocco, looked on track to claim more points in Hungary. Putting in a spirited charge, the Scot from Leopard Racing Team Audi Sport went home empty-handed from the second round: The three-time BTCC champion had taken up the race from 25th on the grid and was running in eleventh place when he was shunted from the track by a tough maneuver and had to retire. Thus, Shedden earned no points in Hungary. The newcomer Niels Langeveld also had no chance to claim points – 18th place in the third race on the Hungaroring was the best result for the Dutchman.