Audi to run 2014 R18 in town of Le Mans

Audi will unveil the definitive livery of its 2014 R18 e-tron quattro World Endurance Championship contender when Tom Kristensen drives the car from the city center of Le Mans to the racetrack next week.

Kristensen, who is bidding for a 10th victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours this season, will undertake the nine-mile journey with a police escort on Tuesday, March 25. The route will take him from the Place des Jacobins, the traditional home of Le Mans scrutineering in race week, to the Welcome Centre at the circuit.

The new R18 has so far been seen in photographs and in public appearances, in an interim livery.

Pierre Fillon, president of Le Mans organizer the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, said: "We think it’s great that Audi selected Le Mans as the venue for the presentation of the new R18 e-tron quattro. Audi is bringing back memories of an all-but-forgotten tradition of our race from the days when the drivers would travel to Le Mans in their own racecars."

Live streaming of the event will begin at 12:15 GMT on www.audimedia.tv.