Wolfgang Ullrich hands over Audi Motorsport role
Dieter Gass has been named as the head of Audi Motorsport, succeeding Dr Wolfgang Ullrich who will remain in an advisory role until the end of 2017.
The changeover has been described by Audi as a “scheduled change” with Ullrich persuading Gass to rejoin Audi Sport in 2012 with the intention of mentoring him to be his successor.
“Dieter Gass is going to lead Audi Sport through the upcoming transformation stage and continue to write Audi’s success story in motorsport,” said Ullrich. “He knows Audi Sport like few others do. From November 1994 to March 2001, he worked there as an engineer – initially in the super touring car and subsequently in the sports prototype program.
“Following one year as Head of Racing Commitments and four years as Head of DTM, he is now taking his next, carefully planned step. I will be assisting him in this role in an advisory capacity, but not in the operational side of the business. I know that Audi’s motorsport commitment is in good hands with Dieter Gass.”
The announcement sees Ullrich cease his day to day involvement with Audi Motorsport as it leaves the World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“I very much enjoyed my 23 years at the helm of Audi Sport,” Ullrich added. “We celebrated major successes and I had the opportunity of working together with many great people whom I’d like to sincerely thank. The same applies to our teams and partners. The Management Board had faith in us even during difficult stages, and I believe we justified this trust over and over by claiming great victories and championship titles.”