24h Le Mans
Over the years, rain has often been a troublemaker at Le Mans. In 83 editions of the race, it has dashed many hopes and often influenced the outcome. Just like the Audi-Peugeot head-to-head in 2008.
Photo :D.R. - ARCHIVES ACO
During the night, in the fourteenth hour, with Peugeot leading, the skies took it upon themselves to be the deciding factor. Jacques Villeneuve was at the the wheel of the n°7 908 HDi FAP. Peugeot opted for intermediate tyres while the Audi R10 TDI n°2 switched to full wets. Dindo Capello handed over to Tom Kristensen at 4:22, having considerably closed the gap.
With Kristensen’s Audi only six seconds behind the Peugeot at 05:17, both cars entered the pits at the same time. Marc Gené took over from Jacques Villeneuve, but Tom Kristensen remained at the wheel and kept his tyres. From then on, Audi took command of the race. Kristensen came away from the pits ahead and never looked back, keeping the lead until the chequered flag.
That year, the Peugeots were the faster cars. Yet the rain, and the strategy employed to deal with it, made all the difference. Audi and Kristensen celebrated their eighth victory at Le Mans, Dindo Capello his third and Allan McNish his second.
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO Translated by Emma Paulay
Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, SUNDAY 15 JUNE 2008, FINISH. The winning Audi R10 TDI shows the signs of the fickle weather at the 76th Le Mans 24 Hours.
