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LE MANS: Brabham Joins Peugeot for Le Mans 24 Hours
Two-time Le Mans winner David Brabham joins Peugeot as the French marque makes the smartest possible move.
Marshall Pruett  |  Posted February 09, 2009   Velizy, France
A narrower rear wing and a touch of engine cover bling mark Peugeot's 2009-spec 908 HDi FAP. (Peugeot)


In a move that was unsuspected but shows Peugeot's maturation, the French manufacturer revealed two-time Le Mans GT1 class winner David Brabham to spearhead their 2009 24 Hour bid.

After facing two years of criticism for recruiting only young talent or recent ex-F1 pilots, the signing of Brabham adds a measure of calm and seniority 'The Lion' has never enjoyed. Peugeot Sport dropped Jacques Villeneuve for 2009 after hinting at their displeasure with the Canadian's performance at La Sarthe in 2008. The raw pace of the twin-turbo diesel V12 908 car has been fearsome, but less so the team's driver pairings and race strategy.

Peugeot made their first move to reclaim this wasted potential by ditching Peugeot Sport boss Michel Barge for veteran Citroen Rally program director Olivier Quesnel. Adding 'Brabs' to the mix for 2009 is the clearest statement yet that the team 'gets' that it will take more than speed to beat Audi in 2009.

From Peugeot:

The entire team is today fully focused on this year's program, beginning with its efforts to iron out the shortcomings that handicapped its bid for victory last year at Le Mans. These areas include optimization of the traction control system, preventing the radiators from getting choked up and improvements to the fitment of the wheels with a view facilitating their replacement by the mechanics. Meanwhile, it has been a case of adapting the 908 to the latest ACO regulations which target a significant curbing of performance.

"The engine settings have been completely revised to take on board the new air restrictor dimensions and the lower turbo pressure which has resulted in a fall in power of approximately 10 per cent," explains Peugeot Sport's Technical Director Bruno Famin. "Significant work has gone into the 908's aerodynamics, too, in order to re-optimize the car's balance following the notable reduction in the width of rear wings which has been cut from two to 1.60 meters. We are also continuing with development work aimed at putting air-conditioning in the cockpit with a view to ensuring that the temperature inside the car stays within the regulatory threshold.
The Le Mans and ALMS veteran adds a measured approach Peugeot has always lacked. With Brabham's unmistakable pace and focus approach, expect the trio of 908's to challenge Audi like never before. (Peugeot)

"At the same time, we are working on enhancing the car's performance potential. This includes ongoing work on weight reduction in a bid to get close to the minimum limit, even with air conditioning, as well as optimization of the diesel engine's combustion, particulate filters (in association with Dow) and fuel injection (with Bosch), plus research into defining best possible chassis/tyre package (with Michelin)." As stated above, the 2009 season's overriding objective is the Le Mans 24 Hours and, as Olivier Quesnel explains, Team Peugeot Total has defined a particularly active program as it builds up to the celebrated endurance race.

"Our busy test program notably includes endurance simulation tests at a variety of circuits, and we will take part in two races upstream of Le Mans which will serve as full scale dress rehearsals for everyone in the team. We have consequently chosen to compete in March's 12 Hours of Sebring, which is the opening round of the American Le Mans Series, with two cars and six drivers. We will then take three cars in Belgium for the 1,000km of Spa- Francorchamps in May (8-10). We haven't yet decided what our program after the Le Mans 24 Hours will be. We are looking at the different options to ensure the best possible exposure for the brand in promotional and media coverage terms, and also as a function of the level of competition. Last but not least, the livery of the 908 HDi FAP has changed. All the cars will now be predominantly blue, with the cockpit covered in a reflective chrome-like aluminum covering aimed at keeping the temperature inside the car to a minimum. This endurance program is only possible thanks to the assistance of our partners."

The Peugeot Sport line-up features 9 drivers, with the team's confidence going to the drivers who have made such a satisfactory contribution to the first two years of its current endurance program:

Sébastien Bourdais (France), 30.
David Brabham (Australia), 43.
Marc Gené (Spain), 35.
Christian Klien (Austria), 26.
Pedro Lamy (Portugal), 37.
Nicolas Minassian (France), 36.
Franck Montagny (France), 31.
Stéphane Sarrazin (France), 33.
Alexander Wurz (Austria), 35.

The crews of the two cars for Sebring are:
N°7 908 HDi FAP
Nicolas Minassian/Pedro Lamy/Christian Klien
N°8 908 HDi FAP
Franck Montagny/Stéphane Sarrazin/Sébastien Bourdais

View the 2009 Peugeot Launch Photo Gallery.
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