About Peugeot | Motorsport | Endurance Racing

POWERFUL PEUGEOT PRESENCE AT LE MANS

After four consecutive doubles, Peugeot’s luck finally turned at Le Mans this year. Team Peugeot Total had taken the top three slots on the grid – their fourth consecutive appearance in pole position – and they held on to the lead for the majority of the race. But they had to pull out of the final stages of the world’s most famous endurance race due to engine issues.

Olivier Quesnel, Director of Peugeot Sport, said “We have the right to be disappointed, but we will get to work, to come back even stronger in 2011. We did what we could, but we were beaten. It is a huge disappointment but we have an easy conscience.”

THE TEAM

The driving team this year was made up of Sébastien Bourdais, Pedro Lamy, Simon Pagenaud, Nicolas Minassian, Franck Montagny, Stéphane Sarrazin, Anthony Davidson, Marc Gené and Alexander Wurz. They were supported by Technical Director Bruno Famin and Olivier Quesnel, Director of Peugeot Sport.

The car

The 908 HDi FAP was more than ready for the challenge after enhancements to the engine shortened the odds of winning. Significant work on the aerodynamics re-optimised balance, while weight was reduced close to the minimum limit. With a stunning new blue and chrome livery, the car was poised for victory.

PEUGEOT DOMINATES AT SEBRING

Team Peugeot Total notched up their third consecutive one-two finish of the season with a decisive victory in Florida’s 12 Hours of Sebring race. The two Peugeot 908 HDi FAP’s started from the front of the grid and were never separated by more than a few seconds throughout the race. Eventually the No 7 car, driven by Marc Gené, Alexander Wurz and Anthony Davidson, finished just ahead the No 8 with Sébastian Bourdain, Nicolas Minassian and Pedro Lamy. It was the first Sebring victory for a French car since the race was established in 1952.

FOURTH ONE-TWO FOR PEUGEOT AT SPA-FRANCOCHAMPS

Success followed Team Peugeot Total to the 1,000km de Spa-Francorchamps race, where they notched up their fourth one-two finish in a row. The No 3 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP started in pole position but fell back when it span in the first lap. After steadily working his way back up the field, driver Sébastian Bourdais engaged in a thrilling tussle with the Audi in first place, and eventually took the lead on lap 71. Just two laps from the end of the race, which had been suspended at one point because of a power cut, the No 2 Peugeot also got the better of the Audi and slipped into second place.

LAST YEARS’ TRIUMPH AT LE MANS

The Peugeot team stormed to victory last year at Le Mans, as the diesel-powered 908 won out in a race where the top two positions were dominated by Peugeot. It was victory to the No 9 car and pole position to the No 8, plus the team achieved the fastest lap time of 3m 24.352 seconds – a blistering 240kph.

So 2010 has been a season of ups and downs for Team Peugeot Total, with some notable successes and a few reminders of what a highly competitive sport motor racing can be. But the team have learned a great deal from their experiences this year and are determined to come back stronger in 2011.