Audi Sport ladder moves as Jarvis goes up

When legendary Dane Tom Kristensen announced his retirement from motorsport in the 6 Hours of São Paulo, the FIA WEC season finale, the question that came into all the heads of those involved with sportscar racing probably was: “Who will be the guy to sub Kristensen?”

The answer already came, and Audi relied on home talent to that.

Past Wednesday saw Audi announce that Oliver Jarvis will go up in the LMP ranks and jump into one of the full season WEC R18 e-tron quattros, alongside Frenchman Loïc Duval and Brazilian Lucas di Grassi. Jarvis has already some good experience in Audi’s top machinery under his belt, as the British driver ran until 2014 in the third Audi entry that runs essentially at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

With Jarvis’ move to one of the full season cars,leaving a spot open in the third car, which will be filled by Audi GT ace René Rast.

Rast has lots of experience and achievements on his back, being a Porsche Supercup multi-champion. Not only that, other achievements to be listed involve the victories in the 2014 editions of the 24 Hours of Spa and Nürburgring, as well the 2014 ADAC GT Matsers drivers and teams titles, alongside Kelvin van der Linde.

At the wheel of a Le Mans Prototype, Rast ran for Sebastien Loeb Racing at Le Mans this year with Jan Charouz and Vincent Capillaire, finishing fourth in the LMP2 class and eighth overall.

Even though the drivers are confirmed, the machine wasn’t still revealed, as Audi plans to make a lot of changes in the current R18, as a way to compensate for the uncompetitive form they had this year in the FIA WEC.

Want a taste of Rast's ability with LMPs? Check his virtual lap at Le Mans with an ORECA 03, in Project CARS.

PHOTOS: FIA WEC, Sebastien Loeb Racing