Are Peugeot 'doing a Ferrari' ??
Discussion
News story in Autosport about the ongoing 'discussions' about the legality of the Audi R15's aero package, and how they may be forced to make changes before Le Mans.
Seems the key objection is coming from Peugeot who are seemingly on the phone to the ACO every day !
So, not trying to influence the people making the decisions then....
I very, very much doubt that what Audi has come up with is outside the letter of the regs. And as someone said recently about the F1 rules, there is no such thing as the 'spirit' of the regulations.
The thing I don't entirely understand is that the R15 would have been homologated by the ACO before it could run at Sebring wouldn't it ? So, they were OK with the car then now they seem to be changing their mind ?
I just hope this remains a 'technical' discussion and doesn't get all political. Pity Peugeot seem to be so vocal about something in the face of a bit of competition - seems they're even more rattled about the R15 post-Sebring than I thought they were.
Look at Spa last week. Although the Pugs won the race, the Pescarola was second and on the same lap. The Aston Lola 3rd one lap adrift and the 2nd Pueueot all sorts of problems (like their road cars). They are struggling and have done very little development so are clutching at straws. Lets hope its wont be like the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally where the french officials gave the win the their beloved Citroen DS after they dismantled the winning Mini Coopers and disqualified them from the genuine win because the headlight bulbs were illegal............Wheres my anorak ?
Peugeot have blown it at Le Mans in 07 and 08, beaten by the "inferior" Audi R10's. Now, even the Pescarola is chasing them and the Aston not far behind they will do anything they can to get an advantage.
Peugeot have blown it at Le Mans in 07 and 08, beaten by the "inferior" Audi R10's. Now, even the Pescarola is chasing them and the Aston not far behind they will do anything they can to get an advantage.
Indeed, and Spa is a similarly quick track to Le Mans where the Peugeots could have stretched their legs. Maybe there was some sand-bagging though ? Who knows.
Oreca and Prodrive were both making noises about the dismals still needing to be slowed down, so yes, I guess Peugeot are getting a bit twitchy. The missed a good opportunity in 2008, didn't win Sebring with a quicker car and generally keep managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
I'm not sure that that particular Spa race can be used as a good comparison as the entire field seemed to be on a mission to hit the rest of the field (even before the flag fell) so there were plenty of safety car periods.
Even last year the lead P2 car was only 5 laps back at the finish, the winning Pug and 2nd place Audi being 3 laps ahead of 3rd place, which was the petrol Oreca, so Spa doesn't really show true 'June pace'.
It would be a great shame if sports car racing does go the same way as F1.
Even last year the lead P2 car was only 5 laps back at the finish, the winning Pug and 2nd place Audi being 3 laps ahead of 3rd place, which was the petrol Oreca, so Spa doesn't really show true 'June pace'.
It would be a great shame if sports car racing does go the same way as F1.
Edited by Red Firecracker on Thursday 14th May 12:15
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