At Le Mans, ambition must be combined with humility as a quick analysis of Total’s results at Le Mans shows: these underline just how difficult the 24-Hour race is. Out of the fifty-two cars that have started the event in our colours over the last thirty-five years, only ten have finished on the podium and only two of them have scored victories.
The first in1980, was the as-yet-unequalled win by a French driver/constructor, Jean Rondeau. Our second success in the Sarthe came last year with the 908 HDi FAP, the result of our fruitful partnership with Peugeot in the application of diesel technology to motor racing. The third attempt proved successful in the face of Audi, THE yardstick in the Sarthe with eight victories in the last decade. Peugeot-Total is the defending champion, and thanks to the experience the team has accumulated, it has set the standards since the start of the 2010 season. In our research laboratories our engineers have done their best to enable the team to maintain its status as favourite on the track.
Our sporting involvement would make no sense unless the technology in question benefitted the greatest possible number of road users. In fact, we have reversed the usual procedure. The lubricant used in the 908’s V12 engine comes directly from the Total Activa Ineo ECS oil that can be found in our service stations, and is used by several million vehicles of the PSA Group. When the notion of fuel consumption, reduction in CO2 emissions, performance and reliability is raised, it is where we are in phase with our determination to master cutting-edge technologies in the service of theeveryday motorist.
Success StoryThe 908 HDi FAP project was launched in 2006 and met with success on its first outing in a race, the Monza 1000 kms on 15th April 2007. At Le Mans, the 908’s debut was rewarded by pole position and second place ten laps behind the winning Audi R10 TDI. At the end of that season Peugeot-Total won the Le Mans Series titles.
Despite four victories the titles escaped the Peugeot-Total Team in the final round of the 2008 Le Mans Series on the Silverstone circuit. It was a disappointment after another pole and second place in the Le Mans 24 Hours. In the race,mthe 908 HDi FAP had little to envy the Audi R10, which won again.
The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP was beaten by the new Audi R15 on the latter’s debut in the Sebring 12 Hours. Shortly afterwards, the French car won at the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms, and then scored a double in the Le Mans 24 Hours, followed by another double in the Petit Le Mans at the end of the season.
This year in the course of preparing for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Peugeot-Total Team has scored two one-two in the Sebring 12 Hours and the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms. consecutive pole positions for Stéphane Sarrazin and the 908 HDi FAT at Le Mans. 382 laps, the record to be beaten held by Peugeot-Total, 3'19 "384 the fastest lap in the race held by Stéphane Sarrazin since 2008
The average speed of the winning 908 HDi FAP in 2009 was 216,664km/h 11 drivers have already raced at Le Mans for Peugeot-TotalSince its competition debut in 2007, the 908 HDi FAP has won 15 out of the 21 races in which ithas taken part.
THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TOTAL AND PEUGEOT SPORT BEGAN IN 1995 IN FORMULA 1. IT CONTINUED IN 2000 IN THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP AND RESULTED IN TWO MANUFACTURERS’ TITLES (2001, 2002) AND ONE DRIVERS’ CROWN (MARCUS GRÖNHOLM IN 2002) WITH THE 206 WRC. SINCE 2007, THE TWO PARTNERS HAVE TAKEN UP THE CHALLENGE OF THE LE MANS 24 HOURS.
Engine lubricantThe Peugeot V12 HDi FAP uses the Total Activa Ineo ECS technology, an oil corresponding to the new generation of fuel savers and Low SAPS lubricants with a low sulfate ash content in phosphorous and sulphur that optimizes the efficiency of the particle filter. On the base of this product on sale to the general public in France under the name Activa Ineo ECS the researchers at the Research Centre in Solaize formulate an oil adapted to the very high temperatures met with in motor racing. In compliance with the 2010 regulations, Total’s efforts this year have been concentrated on the formulation of an oil helping to cool the engine, reduce friction and save energy without sacrificing reliability, which is why Total analyses oil samples by optical emission spectrometry to guard against wear on the V12 HDi FAP.
Gear box lubricantThe 908’s gearbox has to cope with exceptional torque, which means that the engineers provide an extreme pressure oil to protect the teeth of the pinions.
Transmission greaseThe grease made for Peugeot Sport reduces heat (which can attain 150°C) without hardening and losing its protection against seizure. Total has innovated with a new product, which combines tried and tested technology and the use of metallic nano particles. This is a world first in terms of technology that has multiple advantages, and its results exceed our partner’s requirements.
Practice fuelAlthough Total fuel cannot be used in the race (the ACO supplies a single fuel put out to tender), our researchers have formulated a specific product for practice. This optimizes combustion and supercharging as well as making the engine completely reliable thanks to the margin of tolerance of our lubricants.
Without, of course, forgetting cooling liquid, brake liquids and hydraulic fluid for the dampers.
THE PEUGEOT-TOTAL DRIVERS HAVE 54 LE MANS 24-HOUR STARTS UNDER THEIR BELT!
ALEXANDER WURZ (AUT) – MARC GENÉ (ESP) – ANTHONY DAVIDSON (G-B)
Anthony Davidson, one of the two newcomers to the team after two seasons in F1 with Super Aguri, has fitted in very well. He is with the right men as his team-mates are Alexander Wurz and Marc Gené, two of last year’s winning trio. Victorious in the Sebring 12 Hours in March, no.1’s ambition is to score victory no.2 in the Sarthe.
NICOLAS MINASSIAN (FRA) – STÉPHANE SARRAZIN (FRA) – FRANCK MONTAGNY (FRA)This trio of Frenchmen needs no introduction. Stéphane Sarrazin, who has set the last three poles on the trot in the Sarthe, and Franck Montagny, the magic stint man, are joined by Nicolas Minassian, who has been one of the mainstays of the 908 HDi FAP programme. The 100% French car, which led for a good part of the 2009 race, is out for revenge.
SÉBASTIEN BOURDAIS (FRA) – PEDRO LAMY (POR) – SIMON PAGENAUD (FRA)Simon Pagenaud made a very big impression in 2009 and he celebrated his inclusion in the Peugeot-Total team with a victory in this year’s Spa-Francorchamps 1000kms. His talent combined with Sébastien Bourdais’ sheer speed and Pedro Lamy’s experience - at the start for the fourth time in a 908 HDi FAP - give no.3 the arms to fulfill its ambitions.
Like last year, Peugeot Sport has entrusted a fourth 908 HDi FAP to a private team. No. 4 entered for the Le Mans 24 Hours by the Team Oreca-Matmut with the backing of Total will be entrusted to a trio of Frenchmen, Olivier Panis, Nicolas Lapierre and Loïc Duval, who combine talent and experience.
At the end of May, Peugeot-Total completed their final test in view of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The aim of the session was to validate components for the 908 HDi FAPs entered for the2010 race. The cars were stripped down and revised in the Peugeot Sport workshops in Vélizy, and then had an ultimate shakedown at Satory before going to scrutineering at Le Mans.
Since its victory in the Sarthe in 2009, the Peugeot-Total team has carried out eleven test sessions covering a total of some 70.000 kms to take full advantage of the 2010 ACO regulations, and make improvements in certain areas like the clutch, transmission and the durability of the brakes.In addition to work on the aerodynamics with noticeable modifications to the front diffuser and the rear bonnet, the new engine rules have led to a loss of 40 bhp and a reduction in the size of the air restrictors as well as the supercharger pressure. Total has called on its in-depth expertise in the field of lubricants to resolve this new equation between performance and reliability.
The preparation for the 78th Le Mans 24 Hours has been validated in two races, both of which ended in a Peugeot-Total double.In the Sebring 12 Hours, the Wurz-Gené-Davidson trio won from Bourdais-Minassian-Lamy, and in the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms victory went to Bourdais-Pagenaud-Lamy from Montagny-Sarrazin with 1m 26s in hand over the no. 1 Audi R15 Plus.The Peugeot-Total team remains unbeaten since its 2009 Le Mans-24 Hours victory with four one-two in four outings!
Total’s Le Mans results1974 Ligier JS2 Maserati N°14 (Chasseuil-Leclère): rtd (valves) - Ligier JS2 Maserati N°15 (Laffite-Serpaggi):8th overal –1975 Ligier JS2 Ford N°5 (Lafosse-Chasseuil) N°5: 2nd overall - Ligier JS2 Ford N°6 (Pescarolo-Migault) N°6: rtd (puncture) – 1976 Mirage GR8 Ford (Lafosse-Migault) N°10: 2nd overall - Mirage GR8 Ford(Bell-Schuppan) N°11: 5th overall (4th Gr. 6) - Datsun 240 Z (Buchet-Favresse-Haller) N°73: rtd (accident) -Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (Greenwood-Darniche) N°76: rtd (fuel tank) – 1977 Chevron B26 ROC (Cohen-Olivar-Flotard-Dubois) N°25: rtd (distribution belt) - Ferrari 365 GT/4 BB (Migault-Guitteny) N°75: 16e overall(5th IMSA) 1978 Porsche 935 (Guarana-Gomes-Amaral) N° 41: 7e overall (2nd Gr. 5) - Rondeau M 378 N°72(Rondeau-Darniche-Haran): 9th overall (1st GTP) 1979 Rondeau M 379 Ford N°4 (Beltoise-Pescarolo): 10thoverall (2nd Gr. 6) - Rondeau M 379 Ford N°5 (Darniche-Ragnotti): 5th overall (1st Gr. 6) - Rondeau M 379 Ford N° 55 (Rondeau-Haran): rtd (accident) - Porsche 935 N°39 (Guérin-Alliot-Chanaud): 15th overall (6th Gr. 5) - Porsche 935 N°74 (Jarier-Touroul-Townsend): rtd (engine) – 1980 - Rondeau M 379 B Ford N°15 (Pescarolo- Ragnotti): rtd (c-head gasket) - Rondeau M 379 B Ford N°16 (Rondeau-Jaussaud): 1st overall - Rondeau M 379 B Ford N°17 (Martin-Martin-Spice): 3rd overall (1st GTP) – 1981 Rondeau M 379 C Ford N°7 (Migault-Spice): 3rd overall (2nd IMSA GTP) - Rondeau M 379 C Ford N°24 (Jaussaud-Rondeau): rtd (chassis) - Rondeau M 379 C Ford N°25 (Ragnotti-Lafosse): rtd (accident) - Rondeau M379 C Ford N°26 (Pescarolo-Tambay: rtd (fuel pump) - Renard-Delmas D1 N°32 (Descartes-Bayard): 20th overall - BMW M1 N°51 (Alliot-Darniche-Cecotto): 16th overall – 1982 Rondeau M 382 Ford N°12 (Rondeau-Ragnotti-Pescarolo): rtd (engine) - Rondeau M 382 Ford N°24 (Pescarolo-Jaussaud): rtd (engine) - Ferrari 512 BB N°7 (Ballot-Léna-Andruet-Regout): rtd (engine)1983 Rondeau M482 Ford N°24 (Pescarolo-Boutsen): rtd (engine) - Rondeau M482 Ford N°25 (Jaussaud-Streiff): rtd (hydraulics) - Rondeau M482 Ford N°26 (Rondeau-Ferté-Ferté): rtd (engine) - Porsche 930 N°96(Lateste-Bienvault): 20th overall (4th Gr. B) – 1984 Rondeau M 482 Ford N°37 (Mullen-Bohren-A. Ferté): 13th overall (10th Gr. C) - Porsche 930 N°106 (Haldi-Heger-Krucker): 16th overall (2nd Gr. B) – 2001 Courage C60-Peugeot N°17 (Boullion-Bourdais-Redon): 13th overall – 2002 Courage C60-Peugeot N°17 (Boullion-Lagorce-Bourdais): 10th overall - Courage C60-Peugeot N°18 (Ortelli-Hélary-Katayama): rtd (engine) – 2003 Courage C60-Peugeot N°17 (Boullion-Lagorce-Sarrazin): 8th overall - Courage C60-Peugeot N°18 (Ayari-Hélary-Minassian): 9e overall – 2007 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°7: (Minassian-Villeneuve-Gené): rtd (engine)- Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°8: (Sarrazin-Lamy-Bourdais): 2:overall – 2008 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°7 (Minassian-Villeneuve-Gené): 2:overall - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°8 (Sarrazin-Lamy-Wurz): 5th overall – Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°9 (Montagny-Zonta-Klien): 3rd overall - Pescarolo 01-Judd N°18 (Barbosa-Grégoire-V. Ickx): 11th overall – 2009 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°7 (Minassian-Lamy-Klien): 6th overall - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°8(Sarrazin-Montagny-Bourdais): 2nd overall - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°9 (Wurz-D. Brabham-Gené): 1st overall - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP N°17 (Pagenaud-Boullion-Treluyer): rtd (accident) - Courage-Oreca LC70-Judd N°12 (Ragues-Mailleux-André): 11th overall - Creation CA07-Judd N°4 (Campbell-Walter-V. Ickx-Iannetta): 24th overall
