2011 Le Mans 24 Banter Thread
Jun 12, 2011 | 03:04 PM
#251
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,205
From: Tampa, FL
Audi won't race against Porsche or VW. Dr. Ullrich has made that clear in an ALMS interview as few months ago, as it's not in the company's best interests (since they're all related). Each manufacturer has their own niche.
Jun 12, 2011 | 03:05 PM
#252
Watch this space.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,211
Sure that Peugeot's driving was really just wrong, but why all the neagative feelings twords Peugeot? I was routing for Audi the whole race, but you have to hand it to ANY team of drivers that can put up such an entertaining race for more than 24 hours, and only leave a 15 second gap between 1st and 2nd. All of the Peugeot drivers and the whole Peugeot Total team did a fantastic job. Hurray for Audi, and great job to all the teams! But that doesn't give Peugeot an excuse for bumping the Audis around and blocking the #2 like that.(Even though they could have been sore losers, they put up a great race, and awesome entertainment)
Why is anyone surprised about Peugeot's comments? It's typical Gallic arrogance.
Jun 12, 2011 | 03:08 PM
#253
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,454
From: Pennsylvania
^^ You're always so fast to correct spelling mistakes!
That's what I thought. What I think could happen; the Audi and Peugeot battle goes stale, one thing leads to another, VW halts the Audi effort, and Porsche launches a gasoline flat-6 prototype! I doubt that would happen but it's inevitable that their record will be broken one way or another, they must defend it.
You're always so fast to correct spelling mistakes! I doubt that would happen but it's inevitable that their record will be broken one way or another, they must defend it.
Jun 12, 2011 | 03:25 PM
#254
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 859
From: Belgium
Peugeot did well, but I was unimpressed with the events between Gene and Lotterer. While it was good hard racing to a certain extent, what really pissed me off was when the Peugeot team was interviewed just a few seconds after the Gene/Lotterer moments. When asked why Gene was driving so hard and making contact with the race leader despite being 4 laps down, their excuse was "we saw no blue flag". If they would have said something more masculine and honest along the lines of "we're doing what's in the best interest of our other car that has a chance to win the race", maybe I'd respect them more. But hiding behind excuses and pretending that they didn't see the Audi that flashed his bright lights on him for at least a minute leading up to those moments...that's just pathetic and cowardly. It's tough not to throw out the French barbs when actions are in my opinion "pathetic" or "cowardly".
Jun 12, 2011 | 03:28 PM
#255
This won't end well
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,520
From: Living rent free in your head
I'm a fan of Peugeot because two of my favorite drivers are Simon Pagenaud and Sébastien Bourdais. We all know the Frenchies get crazy and sulk but whatever. I've been a Pagenaud fan since 2008 when he started driving the Acura ARX. Peugeot also has a hard time dealing with the sheer gap between them and Audi, guaranteed. I wouldn't pull that if I was losing but they did. I'm not defending them because I'm no fan of it either but different people react differently. Finishing second and third and fourth consistently gets irritating, and that is the catalyst. Hats off to Audi.
Last edited by 65°V12; Jun 12, 2011 at 03:32 PM.
Jun 12, 2011 | 03:34 PM
#256
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,205
From: Tampa, FL
The lead Peugeot car did nothing wrong, and those drivers did pretty well. It seemed to me that when Bourdais really had the opportunity to pressure the Audi, he didn't take advantage of the opportunity. Also, when the track was too wet for good runs on slicks and Lotterer was tip-toeing around the track, Peugeot had a huge opportunity to close the gap and take the lead. They gained some time, but not nearly enough.
I also respected Wurz for taking full responsibility for his off on the track.
So not all of the Peugeot group was an embarrassment, just 2/3 of them.
I also respected Wurz for taking full responsibility for his off on the track.
So not all of the Peugeot group was an embarrassment, just 2/3 of them.
Jun 12, 2011 | 03:39 PM
#257
This won't end well
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,520
From: Living rent free in your head
The lead Peugeot car did nothing wrong, and those drivers did pretty well. It seemed to me that when Bourdais really had the opportunity to pressure the Audi, he didn't take advantage of the opportunity. Also, when the track was too wet for good runs on slicks and Lotterer was tip-toeing around the track, Peugeot had a huge opportunity to close the gap and take the lead. They gained some time, but not nearly enough.
I also respected Wurz for taking full responsibility for his off on the track.
So not all of the Peugeot group was an embarrassment, just 2/3 of them.
I also respected Wurz for taking full responsibility for his off on the track.
So not all of the Peugeot group was an embarrassment, just 2/3 of them.
Jun 12, 2011 | 06:41 PM
#259
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,330
From: Delaware
Amazing job by the Audi Sport Team Joest guys. The rookie Audi team taking on 3 Peugeots with all that time to go seemed impossible. Once again Audi shows us why they are the best!
Shame on Gene and Davidson for driving like that, but that is what Peugeot does. They seem to have a track record for blocking, crashing other cars, and complaining about the rules when they can't win.
They have been named the "dirty" team by a number of publications over the past few years
Shame on Gene and Davidson for driving like that, but that is what Peugeot does. They seem to have a track record for blocking, crashing other cars, and complaining about the rules when they can't win.
They have been named the "dirty" team by a number of publications over the past few years
