24h Le Mans
Near the end of the early 2000s, endurance racing fans across the world watched as a historic rivalry developed between Peugeot and Audi. From epic battles, breathtaking suspense and dramatic twists, here's the story of that golden era. Nicolas Minassian (Peugeot Sport driver from 2007 to 2011), who was there for it all, shares his experiences.
In 2005, Audi won the 24 Hours for the fifth time since 1999. The marque's domination was undeniable: the R8 enjoyed unmatched international success, in particular thanks to the official team, German outfit Joest Racing.
That season, 1992 and 1993 winner Peugeot announced its return to Le Mans. The French carmaker used the 2004 regulations to enter a diesel engine capable of winning. The 24 Hours kicked-started a new era, fully in keeping with the reputation for innovation it earned from inception. The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP was set to make its debut in 2007, while the previous year Audi had unveiled the R10 TDi equipped with a V12 diesel developing no less than 650 hp, a first in history.
The stage was set for a major showdown in 2007 as Peugeot fielded three V12 turbo diesels slightly more powerful than Audi's three 5500cc models. The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP proved its mettle right from the jump. Nicolas Minassian (#9 Peugeot driver) was not surprised: "Our opponents were a lot better prepared than we were, but we had a higher performing car." Teammate Stéphane Sarrazin took pole position in the #8 Peugeot.
However, the trio of 908 HDi FAPs fell increasingly behind as the race progressed. The #1 Audi claimed the top step on the podium with a 10-lap lead on the #8 Peugeot. The French marque understood it would be extremely difficult to triumph over Audi at Le Mans. Minassian: "We were fighting an already well-established team. The goal was to learn fast and figure out where Audi was strongest. Pit stops, repairs, tyres, gearbox and even strategy were all to their advantage. We had to make up for lost time and that made it more challenging."
Things seemed more balanced heading into the 2008 24 Hours. During qualifying, Sarrazin clocked a time seven seconds faster than his best from the previous year. All three Peugeots were running better than in 2007 which was obvious from the start of the race. But, the Audi R10 TDIs were not going down without a fight. Twelve hours in, the leaders had already covered 200 laps and were on their way to beating the distance record established in 1971! Then came the rain. Much more at ease in such conditions, the Audis made up significant ground and in the end the Audi R10 TDi won the 24 Hours once again, with the first Peugeot 908 HDi FAP finishing in the same lap. Minassian: "That second place hurt a great deal."
The German marque designed a new prototype for 2009, the Audi R15 TDi, this time equipped with a V10 diesel. The car did not have an easy time of it. Peugeot's Sarrazin scored his third consecutive pole, and one of the Audis entered by Joest Racing had an accident after just 100 laps, among other technical difficulties. The #1 R15 TDi, plagued with mechanical troubles, failed to hold back the #8 and #9 Peugeots. The latter, driven by Marc Gené/David Brabham/Alexander Wurz, won the race with a historic one-two, and for the first time since 2003, Audi was defeated!
The German manufacturer went right back to work and eventually released the Audi R15+ TDi. Peugeot did manage to clinch its fourth pole in as many years thanks to Sébastien Bourdais in the #3 Peugeot, but the French carmaker's three factory 908 HDi FAPs broke down, and a fourth entrusted to Team Oreca Matmut suffered the same fate. The reason: broken connecting rods, each time on different cylinders. Audi pulled off a hat trick and also beat the distance record (5,410.713 km, or 397 laps of the circuit as it existed then) with the #9 R15+ TDI shared by Mike Rockenfeller/Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas.
In 2011, both marques introduced new models. The futuristic, closed cockpit Audi R18 TDi sported a V6 diesel with 540 hp. The Peugeot 908 dropped the "HDi FAP" and was given a V8 diesel with 550 hp. Minassian: "In 2011, their new prototype matched ours," whereas previously Peugeot held the performance advantage. Pole position went to the #2 Audi R18 TDi, but less than a second separated the top six official cars.
Audi almost immediately lost the #3 R18 TDi after Allan McNish's stunning incident near the Dunlop footbridge. Then, during then night, the #1 Audi R18 TDi driven by Mike Rockenfeller suffered an accident between Mulsanne and Arnage. Only one Audi, in the lead, remained in the race against three Peugeots. At midway, the #9 908 seemed best equipped to dethrone its rival.
The setbacks kept coming for both marques: stalling in pit lane for one, a slow tyre puncture for the other. Minassian in the #8 908 remembers that 24 Hours well: "We were constantly in attack mode, as were the other two Peugeot 908s. We were on the razor's edge every lap. Our mission was to attack as much as possible without breaking the car."
Minassian was prevented from playing a direct role in the fight: "We broke the brake distributor and had to stop to rebalance the car as it was braking too much from the rear. That cost us a lap, and with all the safety car deployments and tight performances at the front, we were never able to recoup lost time. We finished third with no further problems and I think we could have been a contender without that setback."
After the 24-hour battle, Benoît Tréluyer/Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a lead of only 13 seconds and 854 mils on the #2 R18 TDI, a tiny difference over such a long distance. Despite the disappointment, Minassian kept his head up: "It was hard to accept not winning, but it was a magnificent race. We did win the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, but not Le Mans, which had been the goal." He has nothing but praise for his team's rival. "We had a lot of respect for Audi, a fantastic adversary, and that spirit was felt on both sides. We went to war because that's racing, but all the drivers got along very well, as did both teams."
The hybrid era was fast approaching. Peugeot came out with the 908 Hybrid4, but withdrew from endurance racing. Audi was then left with a new and fired-up opponent: Toyota, returning for the 2012 24 Hours. The French carmaker's decision brought to an end an extraordinary period at the race which marked an entire generation of fans and continues to be a favourite 10 years later.
Peugeot looked for victory again this year thanks to the 9X8 hybrid prototype. The car will be back next year for what is shaping up to be an exceptional running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
