Closed coupé LMP1 cars will completely replace open LMP1 sports prototypes on the Le Mans grid in 2010. But one manufacturer was already there in 2007, as Peugeot brought its brand-new, diesel-powered 908 HDi FAP to the 24-hour classic, where it finished second. It has also won every round of the 2007 Le Mans Series so far.

With Audi having set the bar very high in endurance racing in recent years, Peugeot knew that a fresh approach would be required if it were to be successful, so it approached its tire supplier Michelin for input into the design of the 908.

Peugeot decided that no matter what they were doing on the car, if it wasn’t going to make the tire work any better, the car wasn’t going to go any faster. The result was that from day one, Michelin was involved in fundamental design considerations for the car, such as static and dynamic weight distribution.

Says Bruno Famin, technical director at Peugeot Sport: “We met regularly with Michelin and they gave us their views on our proposals. As part of these exchanges, the 908 was also measured and characterized on the benches at Michelin, which are very good. Everything on the car has been measured – the center of gravity height, the torsional stiffness… From the results of the measurements, we decided to improve some aspects of the design, the best example being the weight distribution front to back to make sure we use the tires to their full potential.”