Audi pits, Le Mans 2011Audi remains secretive over how many laps
it will be able to achieve between pit stops in this weekend's
Le Mans 24 Hours.  The team has been eager to point out that the
3.7-liter engine in its new R18 prototype is a third smaller
than its predecessor for only 10 percent loss in power, but has
refused to comment on the implications for fuel strategy. Fuel
mileage is crucial to success at Le Mans, since being able to do
just one more lap between stops can mean, over the course of 24
hours, being able to complete the race with fewer stops.  Asked
how many laps the R18 will be able to complete before
refuelling, Audi technical director Ralf Juttner would not
commit to a specific figure.  "We will drive until the tank is
almost empty," said Juttner. "We don't know until we are at
racing speed how long that will be."