Famin: “24 hours of incredible intensity”

The first competitive appearance of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP dates back to the beginning of 2007. Since then, the lioness has built up a track record allowing it to enter the circle of the best cars in the history of endurance. Titled in the Le Mans Series (2007), the Petit Le Mans (2009), the 12 Hours of Sebring (2010) and of course the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2009), no great classic is missing from its calling card.
The French brand's racing car is therefore in its fourth year of existence, and will be returned to the garage at the end of the season, not meeting the 2011 regulations drawn up by the ACO. During the winter, few modifications were made to the 908. Modifications that Bruno Famin lists for us.

“Our work first focused on adapting the 908 HDi FAP to the 2010 regulations, namely on the engine and the bodywork, explains the technical director of Peugeot Sport. The only aero evolution focused on the development of configurations better adapted to the new level of engine power. We tried hard to try to regain some of the power lost following the change in the regulations: improvement of combustion with Bosch, reduction of friction losses with Total and increase in the permeability of the intake and exhaust lines. with Dow. All the points which may have caused us problems in 2009 were also studied without forgetting the constant work to improve reliability. The 908 HDi FAP has entered its fourth and final year of competition. She shows very great qualities and I think we are going to experience an incredibly intense 24 Hours of Le Mans, very close and contested from start to finish.

Ultra-dominant last season, it's a safe bet that the car from the Sochaux manufacturer will still be in the running at Le Mans this year. The mechanics, like the drivers and engineers, know the car perfectly. In recent weeks, before heading to the Sarthe prefecture, the Peugeot Sport team has contented itself with completely dismantling the 908 HDi FAP which raced in the 1000 km of Spa at the beginning of May (achieving a double), and carrying out a final revision of the mechanics.

“We also ran in the Le Mans parts at Magny-Cours, before carrying out a final burn-in of the racing cars at Satory, continues Bruno Famin. We will then drive on Wednesday and Thursday for free and qualifying practice with, first of all, work on adapting the set-up of the three cars but also an evaluation of our fuel and tire consumption, while gathering as much information as possible. essential for the race. Wednesday evening, the engines will be changed in order to be preserved for the race.

Certainly at the end of development, the 908 has not yet said its last word, far from it, even in the face of an Audi R15 plus of more recent design. At Peugeot, we are aware that the winner of the last edition of the Le Mans classic remains a formidable car, and particularly on the 24 Hours circuit, its favorite playground.

Don't miss our Guide to the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2010, currently on newsstands, so as not to miss anything from this 78th edition of the Sarthe double clock, including interviews with the three captains of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, Alexander Wurz, Stéphane Sarrazin and Sebastian Bourdais.