Audi and Ferrari claim Michelin Green X Challenge honors at 12 hours of Sebring

Fast, Clean, and Efficient was the formula for victory on the track and in the Michelin Green X Challenge as the 2012 American Le Mans Series and World Endurance Championship seasons opened here at the Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Audi R18 turbo diesel prototypes finished 1-2 in the 12 Hour race and 1-2-3 in the Prototype category of the Michelin Green X Challenge.

Audi’s double-victory did not surprise winning co-driver Dindo Capello. Caplleo, an Audi dealer in Italy, proudly wore his Michelin Green X Challenge winner’s hat as he joined co-drivers Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish in the Sebring race winner’s press conference. Repeating the award’s recognition for “Fast, Clean, and Efficient” scores, Capello declared, “Fast. Clean. Efficient, that is Audi!”

The Michelin Green X Challenge victory is the third for Audi in American Le Mans Series competition.

The AF Corse Ferrari F458 Italia driven by Olivier Beretta, Andrea Bertolini and Marco Cioci captured the fourth Michelin Green X Challenge GT honors for Ferrari. The car races on E-10 ethanol fuel.

“Today was a great way to kick-off the fourth season of the Michelin Green X Challenge,” said Silvia Mammone, manager motorsports, Michelin North America. “The field was filled with new cars, new engines, and innovative technologies and once again we saw the most efficient cars on the race track also did well in the Michelin Green X Challenge.