Endurance Racing

The team

Determination, focus and sheer guts took the team of nine drivers all the way to racing’s toughest prize. After the disappointment of 2008, victory was very, very sweet. So what made the difference in 2009? To Alexander Wurz, the youngest driver to win at Le Mans, the answer is simple. ‘We had a great team. And a phenomenal car’.

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.

So close at Sebring

Sebring is 12 hours of endurance on concrete in the Florida heat, and the first true test of the Peugeot team. However a slow puncture cost them victory and the team finished second after achieving the fastest lap time of 1m 43.2745 seconds. Only one of the 908 HDi FAP cars crossed the finishing line, but Peugeot and its main rival were mere seconds apart throughout. Lessons were learnt and the team went forward to the next event with the determination to win stronger than ever.

Victory at Spa-Francochamps

The famous 1,000 km track is one of the greatest racing circuits in the world, running through the testing territory of the Ardennes. It was the team's final preparation for Le Mans. The two 908s soon took the lead, one on soft rubber tyres, the other on medium. Nail biting pit stops saw car No 9 lose ground, but car No 7 blazed ahead to take the flag and provide the victory the team had been waiting for. The win was a huge boost ahead of Le Mans. Next up, the big one.

Triumph at Le Mans

The Peugeot team were vindicated at Le Mans as the diesel-powered 908 stormed to victory 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 240 kph. 'It's a great team' said winning driver David Brabham. 'They gave us a 100% reliable car and the three of us drove a faultless race.’

It was a race where the competition could only chase the brilliant Peugeot team, who led from flag to flag throughout. They'll be back for more 2010.