Peugeot’s hopes of breaking Audi’s domination in the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend has become even more challenging thanks to Audi producing a faster car.
Benoit Treluyer of France in his Audi No. 2 clinched the pole with a fastest qualifying lap of 3 minutes, 25.738 seconds on the 13.6-kilometre circuit in western France.
Defending champions Romain Dumas of France, Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller of Germany will start from second on the grid in their Audi No. 1 today.
Audi has won six of the last seven titles in the world’s best known endurance race, but the pole is its first since 2006.
“We worked hard for this result,” Audi Sport director Wolfgang Ullrich said. “It is not what is important, it is the outcome of the race tomorrow. This provides motivation for the team. No car was in qualifying configuration because we worked on the set-up for the race.
“I am surprised to see such a close result between the leading prototypes. The level is extremely high.”
Audi took the top three spots last year with its R15 model, while no Peugeot was able to finish the race.
The German manufacturer has enjoyed a relatively smooth transition with its new R18 model. But speed is no guarantee of victory.
In the 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium last month, Audi posted the best time in qualifying but could finish only third behind two Peugeots.
“We know that anything can happen in 24 hours,” Peugeot Sport director Olivier Quesnel told French daily L’Equipe. “We will have to make no mistake to win it. We will have to be impeccable in every area. We are prepared but it’s a very long way to go.”
Audi will be under the pressure of the French manufacturer in the opening laps as the Peugeot No. 9 and No. 8 will respectively start from third and fourth on the grid.
Tom Kristensen of Denmark, the winningest driver at Le Mans with eight victories, clocked the fifth best lap in his Audi No. 3.
The Peugeot No. 7 driven by Marc Gene of Spain, who won the 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps, will start from sixth.
Meanwhile, a Swiss team will be the first to race a hybrid car in the 79th edition at Le Mans, bolstering the green credentials of a sport better known for its gas-guzzling engines.
Hope PoleVision Racing will make its debut in the endurance race this year and unlike the other 55 vehicles, its engine will feature hybrid technology designed by the UK-based Flybird Company by which a carbon disc stocks the energy generated under braking and releases it as the car accelerates out of the corner.
This allows the team to save as much as 5 per cent on fuel and reduces the number of pit stops needed.
The race is won by the team that completes the most laps in 24 hours, with up to three drivers alternating.