From Peugeot Sport
Three weeks after the Le Mans 24 Hours, and after inspecting the cars that contested this year’s event, Peugeot Sport looks back at the problems that affected the 908 HDi FAPs in the French race.
Bruno Famin, Technical Director, Peugeot Sport, explained: "To begin with, with regard to the N°3 908 HDi FAP which retired 2½ hours into the race, we have found a quality-related problem concerning the production of the tub at the point where the lower front-right suspension wishbone is attached to the chassis.
This is the same tub that won the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours and the 2010 1000km de Spa-Francorchamps, and – like every 908 chassis – is regularly inspected at the factory using sophisticated tools that enable us to detect ageing or damage to the carbon. The problem in this case, however, was due to a totally undetectable defect, which resulted in a premature and sudden failure of the mounting point.
"As far as the engines are concerned, it didn’t take us long to confirm that all three engines suffered the same problem, a connecting rod failure, although the cylinders that were affected were different. Further investigation has just revealed that the particularly severe conditions encountered at Le Mans in June led to excessive overload of the V12s in question.
"Indeed, the track benefited from high levels of grip this year, so the engines spent longer at full throttle than we expected. At the same time, the weather stayed cool and, unlike previous years, the air/air intercoolers did not become clogged up. The filling of the combustion chambers remained extremely efficient throughout, which in turn meant that the performance delivered by the engines was particularly high.
“The conditions were the same for all competitors, but we were running new con rods this year. The conditions we face at Le Mans differ every year, as do the constraints to which the cars are subjected. It is clear that we need to reinforce our validation procedures."
What about 2011?
During a lunchtime team debrief after the Le Mans 24 Hours, Peugeot Sport boss Olivier Quesnel, explained how pleased he was with the professionalism of Team Peugeot Total’s nine drivers, both during the long build-up to the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as during the race itself. His will is to renew his confidence in the same line-up for the 2011 endurance racing season.
Three weeks after the Le Mans 24 Hours, and after inspecting the cars that contested this year’s event, Peugeot Sport looks back at the problems that affected the 908 HDi FAPs in the French race.
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| Photo: WRI2 |
Bruno Famin, Technical Director, Peugeot Sport, explained: "To begin with, with regard to the N°3 908 HDi FAP which retired 2½ hours into the race, we have found a quality-related problem concerning the production of the tub at the point where the lower front-right suspension wishbone is attached to the chassis.
This is the same tub that won the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours and the 2010 1000km de Spa-Francorchamps, and – like every 908 chassis – is regularly inspected at the factory using sophisticated tools that enable us to detect ageing or damage to the carbon. The problem in this case, however, was due to a totally undetectable defect, which resulted in a premature and sudden failure of the mounting point.
"As far as the engines are concerned, it didn’t take us long to confirm that all three engines suffered the same problem, a connecting rod failure, although the cylinders that were affected were different. Further investigation has just revealed that the particularly severe conditions encountered at Le Mans in June led to excessive overload of the V12s in question.
 |
| Photo: WRI2 |
"Indeed, the track benefited from high levels of grip this year, so the engines spent longer at full throttle than we expected. At the same time, the weather stayed cool and, unlike previous years, the air/air intercoolers did not become clogged up. The filling of the combustion chambers remained extremely efficient throughout, which in turn meant that the performance delivered by the engines was particularly high.
“The conditions were the same for all competitors, but we were running new con rods this year. The conditions we face at Le Mans differ every year, as do the constraints to which the cars are subjected. It is clear that we need to reinforce our validation procedures."
What about 2011?
During a lunchtime team debrief after the Le Mans 24 Hours, Peugeot Sport boss Olivier Quesnel, explained how pleased he was with the professionalism of Team Peugeot Total’s nine drivers, both during the long build-up to the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as during the race itself. His will is to renew his confidence in the same line-up for the 2011 endurance racing season.