Pro Audi retires after early crash

Audi’s sole all-Pro entry is out of the 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour following an early clash at Griffin’s Bend.

The #74, with Christopher Haase behind the wheel, has been retired from the race.

Haase was sent into the Turn 2 barriers on just the 13th lap of the race after a clash with Duvashen Padayachee (#44 Mercedes-AMG).

Haase and Padayachee had been fighting over 11th position when the incident occurred.

It came after Padayachee had been overtake by Frederic Vervisch (#55 Audi) and Ricardo Feller (#777 Audi).

Haase passed Padayachee at Hell Corner before the latter returned serve, only to spin the Audi.

German driver Haase limped back to pit lane, where the decision was made to retire the car.

It left Audi Sport Customer Racing boss Chris Reinke seething, given it was the brand’s only Pro entry.

“That was not what we came for half an hour into an endurance race,” Reinke said.

“We saw the sun coming up over Mount Panorama and obviously driver talent came down on one of the competitors.

“Completely disillusioned for the moment, deeply disappointed.

“It was a clean move before, the driver let us by because he was less quick and then a few corners later just punts us out.

“Christopher Haase had no chance to catch the car and hit the barrier in a way we have structural damage on the car and we have to retire.”

Stewards investigated the incident, with Padayachee avoiding penalty over the clash.

Pole-sitter Maro Engel led the opening hour in the #999 GruppeM Mercedes-AMG.

Engel, who broke the 12 Hour qualifying lap record on Saturday, enjoyed a 4.4s lead at the hour-mark over Maximilian Gotz.

Gotz (#888 Mercedes-AMG) was nearly four seconds ahead of Thomas Preining (#912 Porsche).