Audi has announced it will stop its LMP1 programme in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the end of the 2016 season.
The German manufacturer won the WEC titles in 2012 and 2013 and has won the Le Mans 24 Hours 13 times in its 18-year involvement.
Audi has decided to stop its LMP1 team in the WEC in order to focus on its involvement in the all-electric Formula E series.
Last month the manufacturer confirmed it had stepped up its involvement in Formula E with the Abt Schaeffler squad.
Having looked over its motorsport programme, Audi has now opted to ditch the WEC in favour of Formula E. Its DTM commitment will be “untouched”.
“We’re going to contest the race for the future on electric power,” said chairman of the board of management, Rupert Stadler.
“As our production cars are becoming increasingly electric, our motorsport cars, as Audi’s technological spearheads, have to even more so.”
Audi motorsport boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich added: “After 18 years in prototype racing that were exceptionally successful for Audi, it’s obviously extremely hard to leave.
“Audi Sport Team Joest shaped the WEC during this period like no other team. I would like to express my thanks to our squad, to Reinhold Joest and his team, to the drivers, partners and sponsors for this extremely successful cooperation. It’s been a great time!”
