Audi Motorsport History

Sporting, progressive technology and emotional design are the primary components for the success of the Audi marque. The genes for this originate from 25 victorious years in motorsport. If the legendary days of the Auto Union Grand Prix car of the 1930s are excluded, the AUDI AG motorsport history began in 1981 with the Audi quattro, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2005. The dominant victories with the “original quattro” in the World Rally Championship, during the 1980s, were an important factor in the market success of quattro drive and clearly demonstrated that the company slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” should be taken at face value.

The Audi motorsport history of the modern age begins with the quattro. However, the roots stretch a long way back: Even in the 1930s, motorsport is of paramount importance within Auto Union, as it was known at that time. The unforgotten Auto Union “Silver Arrows” caused a sensation in Grand Prix sport between 1934 and 1939. In 83 races, no less than 42 victories were won. Tazio Nuvolari, Hans Stuck and Bernd Rosemeyer are the stars before the Second World War abruptly ended all motorsport activities.