Audi factory driverMarco Werner (D)

“Audi”, says Marco Werner “was the biggest break I’ve had in my career. In the formative years of my career it was always a question of money or politics. At Audi it’s only about performance.”

The qualified mechanic has always delivered the goods throughout his career. He even defeated a certain Michael Schumacher at a “star of tomorrow” driving assessment. He came within an ace of concluding a Formula 1 deal after winning the prestigious Formula 3 Grand Prix in Monaco in convincing style in 1992. However, owing to a lack of funds he landed in the endurance cup held on the Nürburgring – a racing series for private drivers and the championship in which he contested his first ever race. Marco Werner has had to take such setbacks and disappointments on the chin time and again. The big opportunity to race sportscars for Audi only came in 2002. It speaks volumes that he has never given up and has nevertheless made it. “One of my strengths is that I’m very calm”, says Marco Werner. “It’s not that easy to ruffle my feathers.”

Between races, tests and PR appointments he finds time to relax in Ermatingen, a small village on the Swiss side of Lake Constance. He lives together with Annett, who he married in 2007, and spends his time-off in the garden, cycling, playing golf and can be seen on his wakeboard regularly in summer.