Big „reception“ at the last 24-hour race before the track renovation in 1982. As head of the Kamei crew, Wiesbaden, my team also included the three Eichberg-Ford Capris with Klaus Niedzwiedz/Klaus Ludwig/Dieter Gartmann, Keke Rosberg/Ari Vatanen/Dieter Schäfer, and Manfred Winkelhock/Norbert Haug/Bernd Krämer. Among the mechanics was a 16-year-old named Marco Werner, who dreamed of becoming a race car driver someday. He did, and how: one of the best long-distance drivers in the world – and today in charge of our Cars/Tracktest section.
The motorsport bug was likely in the blood of Marco Werner, born in Dortmund on April 27, 1966. After all, his grandfather was a successful motorcycle racer in the 1930s, and his father, Heinz-Dieter, competed in touring car races in the 1960s with respectable results. Marco remembers: „Klaus Niedzwiedz often stopped by our gas station on his moped because he was interested in my father's race cars. Klaus was also the one who took me to races as a young car mechanic. One time, he offered to let me drive his private car – with him in the passenger seat, of course – around the Nürburgring. I was, mind you, a tender 14 years old, but I drove like an old hand and so fast that after three laps, Klaus slammed on the brakes, saying he had to “make a call'." In 1984, Marco Werner raced for the first time, which he finished with a class victory in the endurance cup.
Marco Werner: Victory in the Formula 3 Grand Prix of Monaco
Sporadic appearances in Formula Ford 1600 in 1985 and 1986 brought three wins and notable successes, achieved with modest financial means, „where the two Clauses helped me with my 500 Mark apprentice salary by providing free tires, for example.“ Klaus Ludwig is meant by the second Klaus. In 1987, within the framework of the program booklet I designed for the German Grand Prix, I discovered Reynard-86 drivers Tom Kristensen and Marco Werner in Formula Ford 2000. For both, it was the beginning of a sensational career – albeit in endurance racing. In his first full F-Ford season, Marco was third, a stepping stone to a place in the Opel Challenge team alongside Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Marco was fourth and made heads turn with a pole position ahead of Mika Häkkinen in his debut in the Euro Series at Spa-Francorchamps. In 1989, Marco started in Siggi Müller Jr.'s Opel-Lotus team and became vice-champion. As recognition, three appearances in VW's Formula 3 factory team were offered. The following year, he drove for Müller's GM team in Formula 3. Notable results include a second place behind Michael Schumacher in Zeltweg. Supported by Camel, Opel, and Escom Computers, he won the German Vice-Champion title in 1991. Seven victories, including from the last starting position in a rain race at the Nürburgring, were crowned by victory in the prestigious F3 Grand Prix of Monaco in 1992. Instead of the hoped-for entry into Formula 1 – unfortunately, a Minardi contract fell through at the last minute – and the opportunity to enter Formula 3000 with Camel, Marco Werner had to settle for a touring car drought. Since the Camel Motorsport budget from Reynolds Tobacco Cologne was completely exhausted by Michael Schumacher's entry into the Benetton Formula 1 team, it remained with a Camel F3000 test at the Bugatti Circuit. Le Mans. Moderate touring car success until the start of the 1995 season!
Marco Werner wins at his debut in the 24 Hours of Daytona
In late 1994, Erwin Kremer asked Marco if he wanted to do a few laps at Hockenheim in the Kremer K8. Marco said: „This car, which came sixth at Le Mans, commanded immense respect, especially with a turbo in the rain.“ Various versions were tested, including one without „ground effect“ for the upcoming World Sports Car season. Erwin was satisfied and invited me to tests in Barcelona. Against his brother Manfred's resistance, Erwin called Marco and told him to meet him for a flight to Daytona in Frankfurt. Marco was only supposed to drive the fourth “stint,„ but regular driver Jürgen Lässig didn't want to drive at night, and Christophe Bouchet spent most of the time in the restroom with the flu. After the first stint, Erwin Kremer radioed: “Stay in the car, kid, let Jürgen take over, no matter who is on the wall, you're staying in the car.„ Marco Werner moved up to second place and only swapped with Giovanni Lavaggi during the night. Due to the retirement of the competition, the K8 achieved overall victory. Financial resources were lacking for its debut at Le Mans. With the team's CK7, he was allowed to compete in the Interseries race at the Siegerland airfield and confidently won the first heat; in the second, the fourth gear got stuck. Together with Lavaggi, he finished fourth in a Ferrari 333 SP at the sports car race in Anderstorp, Sweden. Three endurance cup wins, runner-up in the “Porsche Pirelli Supercup,„ and participation with Philipp Peter in the FIA-GT Championship race at the Nürburgring: it was pouring rain, and Marco drove the competition into the ground. Together with Infineon boss Dr. Ulrich Schumacher, there was another overall victory in Spa-Francorchamps.
Marco Werner was the fastest rookie at Le Mans.
In 2002, Marco and Phillip Peter formed one of the top teams in the Porsche-Michelin Supercup, securing three wins and a podium finish in Monaco. However, due to two retirements, they could only manage the runner-up title. The highlight of Marco Werner’s racing career came with his appointment to the Audi factory team. Together with Philipp Peter and Michael Krumm, he was set to drive a third Infineon Audi R8 at Le Mans. With blistering lap times in qualifying, Marco secured the rookie title. The trio finished the race on the podium. Marco: „Even though I won at Daytona and Monaco, Le Mans surpassed everything—it was incredible.“ Armed with a factory contract for the entire 2003 season, Marco was paired with Frank Biela for the „American Le Mans Series.“ A fantastic debut with a victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring for the Infineon Team Joest. Marco drove half of that race alone at the wheel of the Infineon Audi R8. Four more victories followed. „It was no walk in the park for me, since I didn’t have a moment’s rest, finishing four laps ahead of a Pescarolo C60 with a French crew. The first victory for a diesel engine at the classic race at La Sarthe! In 2007, Marco repeated his one-two finish at Sebring and Le Mans. Before him, only Hans Herrmann had managed to win at Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans. Marco Werner concluded his final ALMS season with another title and an impressive record from 2003 to 2008: In 54 races, he secured 25 overall victories, plus 46 podium finishes, ten pole positions, and ten fastest race laps. In 2009, Audi withdrew from the series. Marco recalls with a smile: „To this day, I still hold the absolute lap record at Mosport, and in qualifying at St. Petersburg, Florida, I was faster than the Champ Car race cars that same weekend.“
Audi Brand Ambassador, Successes in Historic Motorsport
In 2009, Audi had reduced its efforts to Sebring, Le Mans, Road Atlanta, and Petit Le Mans. At Le Mans, Pescarolo dominated with a one-two finish for the 908 HDI FAP. Marco Werner never really got comfortable with the Audi R15 and was unable to achieve significant success. As an Audi brand ambassador, Marco took care of the GT3 customer racing program with the R8 LMS at the Nürburgring. He himself contested a few VLN races and a 24-hour race, but without luck. Since 2012, he has been one of the top drivers in historic motorsport in a variety of cars. For example, he won the 24h Classic 2016 at Le Mans in a Porsche 936 and finished third at the GP de Monaco Historique 2018 with the ex-Lauda Ferrari 312B3 from 1974. Then came the duel against Jean Alesi in a Ferrari in 2021. Lotus successes. 2022 and 2024 in the Principality followed. F1 victories on other European racetracks as well – our specialist for track tests and cars will be active on the tracks again next year and is good for surprises.
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