Audi's reign at Le Mans is over :(

[URSIMPO]

Peugeot 1 and 2 at Le Mans

[Rusty]

Audi put up a pretty mediocre show TBH, they didn't really put up much of a fight after the first few hours and the remaining competitive car wasn't fast enough or reliable enough...

Shame that the Aston Martin didn't get a podium position too.

[Keeper of The Kitten]

Was quite amusing hearing John Hindhaugh saying "that's why Peugeot will never win Le Mans!" (after the works Peugeot got tagged by the Pescarolo 908 when released from the pits) ...turned out that Audi had just as much or even more finger trouble, and maybe a lot more new car trouble as well.

I tend to agree that the R15 didn't have enough racing under it's wheels, although it was exactly the same amount (Sebring 12 hours and Le Mans) as the Bentleys had back in 2003.

Audi had to build a new car because sooner or later Peugeot really were going to get their act together - and the 908 has always been faster than the R10, so it was definitely time for something new. The R15 actually was closer to the pace of the 908 than even Peugeot expected (certainly later in the race) but Audi really had too many woes.

I heard that Peugeot had been a little ungracious towards Audi before the race - I know that they claimed they were not chasing pole (just after setting the fastest lap) but what was the mud that Peugeot were slinging?

Audi's exhaust system was supposed to be a little contentious but I doubt it was that. I know the rumours about Audi previously running underweight in the races (until gearbox changes became outlawed) but if it was technical regulations I think it's a bit rich coming from the team that entered a car which contravened the (then) rule about door openings.

[Keeper of The Kitten]

PS - I also agree, I rather wanted to see the Lola A-M step up, great result though to be the first car home running on petrol.

[URSIMPO]

I was always behind Audi, but I must say that the Diesel engined cars are souless - they are so quiet! I would love too see more manufacturers producing prototypes to compete, as Le Mans is such a great race to test and show off current technology.

[s2driveruk]

Peugeot were moaning about the front intake and a small wing like device (not in profile but they were saying it affected downforce etc) but actually that nose just caused them more problems than any gained advantage.

Audi looked like they were off the ball, suffering from no formal Le Mans test day prior to the race week and as such just didnt look their usual military presice selves.

Was a great race, plenty of drama and those AMR prototypes looked the business in the Gulf colours

Am knackered now after staying up to watch most of it but was worth it, nothing quite like racing at night or watching them through the Porsche Curves as the dawn light arrives - next year in person I hope

[Keeper of The Kitten]

I can't believe the team members have lost their way after countless races involving the same people at Le Mans, in LMS and ALMS ...I think they just had their backs against the wall knowing that they were in a race that they were not guaranteed to win this time. They test their drivetrains on a dyno, usually for 48 hours solid, so the hardware should have had a thorough workout before all of this.

One thing slightly different, this was the first car they designed the chassis before the engine (basically a version of the V12 with one row lopped off to V10 configuration, to shorten it and make it a little lighter). They had some packaging issues but clearly not insurmountable. A lot of louvres on the ducting of that thing though - these diesel cars all seem to need a hell of a lot of cooling.

I can sort of understand protesting aero parts but that's part of the game, unsettling the opposition. We always lobbied for gearbox swaps to be banned but that came after our involvement! I doubt that Audi were affected by any protests but Peugeot were apparently just doing it to get a partisan crowd on their side, so it was considered a bit cynical.