Peugeot trains for Le Mans

Audi will not be there (the “R15 plus” will be present in the paddock but will only be driven for testing after the race). But for Peugeot the essential is elsewhere. The objective of the French team is to prepare for the Le Mans classic, where it will be necessary to overcome vengeful German prototypes. Mechanics and drivers are therefore present to sort out the last little details and setbacks that we only encounter in racing. It will also be the first official appearance of the British Anthony Davidson at the wheel of the Lioness, as Olivier Quesnel recalls:

« Le Mans being our main objective, not only do we impose a certain number of test sessions on ourselves but we also have to participate in certain races like Sebring to put the team in the stressful conditions of the race and prepare the drivers for a demanding competition, declares the Director of Peugeot Sport. This is particularly important for Anthony Davidson who will be making his first race with us here. In 2009 the blow came really close. If this year, without compromising our work program, we could continue our momentum from Le Mans and Petit Le Mans by winning, it would be a great start to the season for the entire Peugeot Total Team.

Sebring, a former military airport, is a real torture for mechanics. Track conditions encountered nowhere else, but also many similarities with Le Mans, as Bruno Famin confirms:

“For us, racing at Sebring has three main interests, affirms the Technical Director of the French team. First of all, the temperature of 25 to 30°, close to that which one can encounter in June at Le Mans. Then Sebring is excellent training for strategy, with its numerous safety cars and traffic similar to Le Mans. Traffic means overtaking and as soon as a driver leaves the line, the “pick up” of the tires is significant, which causes him to lose grip for two or three laps. Finally, Sebring is the longest race after Le Mans. If the engine is not as stressed there, the full load rate is lower, the suspensions are put to the test due to a very uneven surface. We come here to test the mechanical limits of certain parts at the risk of encountering problems, but we do this with Le Mans in mind; If we need to make changes, we will have time before Le Mans where we will not take any risks. »

The two Peugeot n°07 and 08, which will respectively be entrusted to the trios Anthony Davidson – Marc Gené – Alexander Wurz and Pedro Lamy – Nicolas Minassian – Sébastien Bourdais, will have as their main adversary a Lola-Aston Martin official who hopes that the change in regulations aimed at bringing the performance of Diesel and Petrol cars closer together will help it close the gap with the winner of the last 24 Hours of Le Mans. But barring any major surprises, victory should not escape the French. A victory which would allow the 908 HDi FAP to add to its list of achievements the last great endurance classic of the ACO Label which is still missing from its list of achievements.