vikiradTG2007
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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73203
So Sebring is going to be a cracker... And more news related to Peugeot:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73202
When was the last time an active F1 driver raced at Le Mans while contesting a full F1 season?
And the other development is also interesting. Two former Aston Martin Racing teammates will be duking it out head-to-head in two different machines... and in LMP1.
Peugeot confirm Sebring entry
By Simon Strang Monday, February 9th 2009, 17:19 GMT
Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs Peugeot have confirmed that they will enter two cars for the Sebring 12-hour race as part of the manufacturers' preparation for the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours.
The announcement, at their 2009 competition programme launch in Paris on Monday, means the team will go head-to-head with Audi's new R15 TDI, Aston Martin Racing's new LMP1 and the factory Acuras of Highcroft Racing and De Ferran in the American classic on March 12.
The French company will run a pair of heavily-revised 908 HDi FAPs for Nicolas Minassian, Pedro Lamy, Christian Klien, Franck Montagny, Stephane Sarrazin and Peugeot returnee Sebastien Bourdais in the event.
They will then take all three Le Mans contenders to the Spa 1000kms in May, although they have yet to confirm whether they will participate in any more Le Mans Series events after the race at La Sarthe in June.
Peugeot Sport director Olivier Quesnel said: "Our busy test programme 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," he added.
"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 programme 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."
The latest evolution, newly-livered 908 was also unveiled at the launch, featuring a eye-catching chrome-canopy and shorter rear-wing in keeping with the strict 2009 aero regulations in the LMP1 class.
"The livery of the 908 HDi FAP has changed," said Quesnel. "All the cars will now be predominantly blue, with the cockpit covered in a reflective chromelike aluminium covering aimed at keeping the temperature inside the car to a minimum."
The team's technical director Bruno Famin explained that the team had also focussed on improving several aspects of the car which set the pace throughout last year, yet failed to capture any of the major sportscar titles in 2008.
"The engine settings have been completely revised to take onboard the new air restrictor dimensions and the lower turbo pressure which has resulted in a fall in power of approximately 10 per cent," said Famin. "Significant work has gone into the 908's aerodynamics, too, in order to re-optimise the car's balance following the notable reduction in the width of rear wings which has been cut from two to 1.60 metres.
"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," he added.
"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 optimisation 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)."
So Sebring is going to be a cracker... And more news related to Peugeot:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73202
Bourdais, Brabham join Peugeot
By Steven English Monday, February 9th 2009, 17:00 GMT
Sebastien BourdaisSebastien Bourdais and David Brabham have joined Peugeot's assault on the Le Mans 24 Hours this season.
Bourdais, who was recently confirmed for another season in Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso, returns to the French manufacturer's line up after finishing second in the No.8 908 HDi at Le Mans in 2007.
"In 2007, I started this great adventure with the whole Peugeot team," Bourdais said. "In 2008, there was a problem with the time schedule so I couldn't do it again, but I always agreed with (Peugeot team manager) Serge (Saulnier) that I could do something this year."
Brabham won the GT1 class with Aston Martin in the 24 Hours last year, and has extensive prior experience in prototypes having raced for Jaguar, Toyota, Panoz, Bentley, Zytek and Acura in his career.
The Australian is already confirmed for a full American Le Mans Series campaign in Acura's new LMP1 car.
"It is a great honour for me to be a Peugeot driver with the history of my brother Geoff's victory," said Brabham. "That was a big occasion, and hopefully we'll have another one this year."
Bourdais and Brabham have teamed up once before, when they finished third in the GT2 class of Petit Le Mans with Panoz in 2006.
The pair take the places of Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta in Peugeot's 2009 line-up, with Nicolas Minassian, Marc Gene, Christian Klien, Pedro Lamy, Franck Montagny and Stephane Sarrazin all retained.
When was the last time an active F1 driver raced at Le Mans while contesting a full F1 season?
And the other development is also interesting. Two former Aston Martin Racing teammates will be duking it out head-to-head in two different machines... and in LMP1.