Andre Lotterer is set to make his return to Audi machinery at this weekend’s Total 24 Hours of Spa, as a last-minute replacement for Will Stevens at Audi Sport Team WRT.

The three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner left Audi for Porsche ahead of this season but returns to Audi for Spa, joining Dries Vanthoor and former LMP1 co-driver Marcel Fassler in the No. 5 Audi R8 LMS.

“It’s a nice surprise and I am very happy,” Loterer said. “When Vincent [Vosse, WRT team boss] called me to check if the challenge could interest me, the answer has been immediate!

“To be in a lineup that aims at winning the Spa 24 Hours, and to be part of Team WRT and the Belgian Audi Club, is an offer you cannot refuse.

“On top, I will be again associated with my friend Marcel Fassler, and Benoit Treluyer will also be in the team, although on another car.

“I am very motivated and want to thank Porsche, my employer, for giving its go-ahead to this one-off with for a sister brand of the Volkswagen family.”

It will be Lotterer’s attempt at the race since 2015, and he will be aiming for his first victory.

“It’s true that I haven’t driven an Audi R8 LMS since 2015,” he explained.

“At the beginning of the week, I’ll be in Barcelona for tests with the Porsche LMP1. I will arrive at Francorchamps on Wednesday only, but I am not worried.

“It is not like starting from nothing: I know well the track, I know well the team and I have already driven the car. I know I will be involved and committed 100 percent, especially in analyzing all the data, in order to be fast as soon as possible.”

Lotterer will be in one of five factory backed Audis for the race, with a total of ten R8 LMS cars entered for the Belgian endurance classic.