It was about 16.00 clock on Wednesday when a bomb exploded: Peugeot withdrew immediately from the WEC and its sports program.
Against 16 clock this afternoon was this message on Twitter Become a - came shortly after the confirmation of various motor sports journalists, and finally by the French manufacturer Peugeot itself ended its involvement in the LMP1 class, with immediate effect. There will be no use in the WEC and not at the 24 Hours of Le Mans itself is also a Umentscheidung excluded, because the registration deadline ends today for participating in the WEC and the 24-hour race.
The decision itself but was probably very short and like a little helter-skelter, as part of the team is to take the time at Sebring and enjoy an endurance test, and also Anthony Davidson has announced recently via Autosport there to take a 5 day long trial and the development of the hybrid 908 is / was in the past at full speed. It was also for 30 January is a great PC on the sports program as well as hybrid technology set and many suspected it the official launch of the 908 hybrid, but it will not happen. These are all indications that the decision was made at very short notice. However, it appears the departures of Alexander Wurz Gen Toyota and especially of Bourdais and more Pagenaud IndyCar direction in a different light.
Economic and Financial reasons Peugeot have moved to this drastic step. They describe it wants to focus its resources on the launch of the new street car this year. This followed a bad year result was 2011: by 1.5%, the number of vehicles sold declined compared to the previous year. The expectations for 2012 are probably miserable. In space, the number is just under € 800 million to be eingesparrt so the group can rumreißen the helm. Therefore, the Board has set the sports car program, the budget cuts, which at least annually consumes a nearly three-digit million sum. These are also probably 3,500 jobs "on trial".
Such potential release numbers can of course always difficult to justify if you spend the same time many millions on an expensive motor sports project. And by the exits of Honda F1 and BMW's motorsport world knows by now, the early exit decisions in a difficult economic climate in recent years.
You have probably tried in the last time a customer team to win for the cars which would be financed and carried out the operation and would probably get the drivers like Davidson and Sarrazin. This is not, however, come about because the only remaining teams besides Oreca, which would work even with Toyota over only Pescarolo. However, Henri Pescarolo and his love has great difficulty, at least a budget for the 24H race to scrape together at least go there with his aged chassis can. The use of 1 or 2 908 is for him to tackle on so little and it was / is no other team ready which means it could be done. What's more, the WEC at 24.00 Registration Deadline Clock has come to an end and happen because of the well-filled fields in the prototype is almost an extension.
For the already highly anticipated debut season of the World Endurance Championship that is of course a big blow. The duel vs Audi. Peugeot has in recent years at Le Mans and the Le Mans Intercontinental Cup marked. Now remain - hopefully - Audi and newcomer Toyota.
After all, how Audi will respond to the abrupt withdrawal of its toughest competitors, is still unclear. A presentation of the racing program for 2012 has yet to be, the deadline for the WEC and Le Mans application is, as mentioned, today. A complete withdrawal is unlikely, but a reduction in the number of vehicles could be possible to cut costs. It's said that two R18 should start in the WEC and three, maybe even four, in Le Mans.
It is also unknown yet how exactly look like the Toyota is using. Last year it was announced that they wanted to deny selected WEC race course and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Whether it - with the chance of more podium finishes - it will be a continuous WEC commitment could still be seen.
In any case, today leaked the first pictures of the new Toyota from its test at the Circuit Paul Ricard. Here are several things: First, the front between the crash box and the monocoque and the wheel arches have been kept very low and to see the bump, so pick-up point for the shock clearly. This is surprising, if one wants to place the electric motors to the front so when accelerating for a short time to have an electrically controlled four-wheel drive. In addition, these act as a generator during braking and store more energy than at the front axle on the rear axle. On the other hand is very close to the engine casing, which suggests a very compact engine. And the end plates, which were forward to connect the rear wing so far seen so little.
Also, the driver sits on the left and not right as the Peugeots and Audis, where especially in the latter it passed the driver's stetzen from left to right, because in Le Mans from the rider's just right, the boxes and turn out the driver change therefore shorter or should have less way. The tail fin including mandatory and integral air scoop mounting wings on the other hand reminds very much of the Audi R18.
After all the good news of recent weeks is fashionable now so wait. On 2 February will announce the list of participants for the ACO and the WEC Le Mans.
in collaboration with Stefan Tegethoff
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