Peugeot all set for Le Mans defence

The factory backed Peugeot 908 HDi FAP machines are all set to defend their 2009 Le Mans 24 hour crown. But seeing as the French team have demoted Australia’s David Brabham from the winning car to the LMP2 category AUSmotive’s full support will be behind the Audi R15 TDI.

Of course, Peugeot won’t care about that too much as they’re far too busy preparing the 908 for its fourth and final outing at La Sarthe. Indeed, Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director, Bruno Famin is expecting a close race with the R15s from Ingolstadt, “This is the 908 HDi FAP’s fourth and final year of competition. It is an outstanding car and I think we can look forward to an incredibly thrilling Le Mans 24 Hour; I believe it will be very close from flag to flag.”

Famin also explains a bit about the changes made to the car since its 2009 success, “Our work initially focused on adapting the 908 HDi FAP to the new 2010 regulations, which essentially meant the engine and bodywork. The only aerodynamic change is the result of having to adjust to this year’s new engine power levels.

“We have endeavoured to recover some of the power lost because of the rule changes, which involved working with Bosch on improving engine combustion, reducing power losses through friction with Total and improving the flow efficiency of the intake and exhaust systems with Dow.”

There’s more from Peugeot and their three-car team after the break. For Australian readers television coverage of the 2010 Le Mans 24 hour race will be provided by One HD on free to air, and the EuroSport channel on Foxtel will also have extensive coverage of the race, including practice and qualifying sessions. Check your local guides for details. A live online radio broadcast, with English commentary, is also provided for free by Radio Le Mans.

PEUGEOT IS READY FOR THIS YEAR’S LE MANS OFFENSIVE

Building on the momentum generated by its one-two finish at Le Mans this time last year, Peugeot is on the hunt for a second straight win in the prestigious race. Twelve months of hard preparation work since June 2009 has kept the team under pressure in its bid to secure repeat success in this unique event which attracts more than 250,000 spectators annually.

Due to the unknowns, drama and potential pitfalls that are all part-and-parcel of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the emotion and joy that come from winning this great French race are unique. When Peugeot had the privilege of tasting Le Mans success again in 2009, it had a very positive effect on both its customers and across the whole company. The victorious Peugeot 908 HDi FAP car and its three drivers – Alexander Wurz, Marc Gené and David Brabham – embarked almost immediately on a “lap of honour” tour which lasted from June until September before the car finally made its way back to the team’s Velizy workshops. Since then, with its sights set firmly on 2010, the year of Peugeot’s 200th anniversary celebrations, Team Peugeot Total hasn’t taken its eye off the ball in the slightest.

Since the chequered flag came down on last year’s race, the team preparations have taken the form of three races and eleven test sessions, including extended simulation runs, set-up work and the development of a complete range of tyres in association with Michelin.

“Our work initially focused on adapting the 908 HDi FAP to the new 2010 regulations, which essentially meant the engine and bodywork, explains Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director, Bruno Famin. “The only aerodynamic change is the result of having to adjust to this year’s new engine power levels. We have endeavoured to recover some of the power lost because of the rule changes, which involved working with Bosch on improving engine combustion, reducing power losses through friction with Total and improving the flow efficiency of the intake and exhaust systems with Dow. This is the 908 HDi FAP’s fourth and final year of competition. It is an outstanding car and I think we can look forward to an incredibly thrilling Le Mans 24 Hour; I believe it will be very close from flag to flag.”

Team Peugeot Total had its first taste of victory this year with a one-two finish in the 1,000 km de Spa-Francorchamps in May. This race also provided a taste of what spectators can expect at Le Mans, namely a long, unrelenting sprint during which the slightest error or misjudgement on the track, in the pits or in terms of strategy could well prove very costly. The race was an important part of the team’s preparations as it provided the team with real-world race practise in order to give everyone a chance to rehearse their respective roles under the sort of pressure that only competitive action can provide.

Last October’s Petit Le Mans win, the win in Sebring and the recent 1,000km de Spa have all contributed to making Team Peugeot Total an even stronger team, a process helped by the one-two finishes in all three races.

“Our win at Le Mans in 2009 did a great deal for the team’s confidence,” remarks Peugeot Sport’s Director Olivier Quesnel. “This time last year, we had the impression that our backs were to the wall. Today, we are still under pressure, but we have used that pressure to make positive progress. Le Mans is the greatest race in the world and we all felt a big sense of pride when we succeeded in beating Audi which has been the benchmark in endurance racing for many years. We have done everything in our power to prepare as thoroughly as possible to repeat that win, but everyone is aware that this is a long race during which anything can happen. However, much work you put in, it’s Le Mans itself that decides who walks away with the trophy at the end. I am expecting an extremely intense race because I am sure that our main rival has evolved, as we saw at Spa.”

Team Peugeot Total’s 2010 Le Mans driver line-up consists of nine evenly-matched, fast and experienced team drivers who are ready to take the team to the top step of the podium again.

No1 908 HDi FAP (Blue Mirrors)
Anthony DAVIDSON (GBR) / Marc GENE (ESP) / Alexander WURZ (AUT)
Gene and Wurz were both in last year’s winning car. Marc has one win to his name, while Alexander has won twice from three attempts at Le Mans. This international trio also won last March’s visit to Sebring.

No2 908 HDi FAP (White Mirrors)
Nicolas MINASSIAN (FRA) / Franck MONTAGNY (FRA) / Stéphane SARRAZIN (FRA)
These three French drivers were team-mates at Oreca in 2002, so they know each other and complement each other very well. They also have considerable experience of Le Mans, with no fewer than twenty seven starts between them. Stéphane Sarrazin has also claimed the last three pole positions.

No3 908 HDi FAP (Red Mirrors)
Sébastien BOURDAIS (FRA) / Pedro LAMY (POR) / Simon PAGENAUD (FRA)
These three drivers won May’s thrilling, high-speed 1,000km de Spa-Francorchamps together.

Key Facts

• There will be four Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs in this year’s Le Mans (Three factory cars, plus a car run by Oreca)
• The 908 HDi FAP has contested 21 races and won 15 since its first race in 2007
• Since their Le Mans debut in 2007, the different 908 HDi FAPS have totalled 191 hours of racing at La Sarthe from a possible 192 hours
• Team Peugeot Total’s nine drivers have a total of fifty four Le Mans starts between them

Team Peugeot Total’s 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours schedule

Sunday, June 6 – Administrative checks and scrutineering

Wednesday, June 9 – free practise and first qualifying session

Thursday, June 10 – second and third qualifying sessions

Friday, June 11
12:00 PEUGEOT Press Conference
18:00 Driver’s Parade (Le Mans town centre)

Saturday, June 12
9:00 – 9:45: Warm-up
15:00: Start of the 78th Le Mans 24 Hours

Sunday, June 13
15:00 Finish of the 78th Le Mans 24 Hours