German Occupation of France

Audi R18 in the pit stall before the 2011 24 Hour Le Mans. Photo: Wade Harris.

While French automaker Peugeot may not compete with German luxury carmaker Audi for sales in the consumer market, their five-year rivalry on the racetrack tells a different story.

Millions of people from all over the world flock to a remote track in the French countryside to watch automotive rivals duke it out on an eight-mile road course called Le Mans.  The 24 hour race at Le Mans started in 1923, with the idea that the car that could travel the farthest in 24 hours would be the greatest.  That sentiment remains today, as the winner of Le Mans is held as the superior automobile manufacturer.

Audi victory at the 2011 24 Hour Le Mans. Photo: Wade Harris

Despite dozens of teams competing, Le Mans series racing is a field of two defined by the rivalry between Audi and Peugeot.  Audi has taken the podium at Le Mans nine times in the last 11 years.  Audi also redefined the entire game in 2006 when they were the first to race a diesel powered car, the R10.  Peugeot followed suit the following year, introducing their 908 HDI diesel racer.  Peugeot dethroned the Audi powerhouse in 2008, fueling their bitter feud. 

Audi and Peugeot are the only teams to use a diesel, and therefore remain in a class of their own.  Audi has made some big changes to their new R18 for 2011, including a closed cockpit and a new engine.  Audi has kept the cards close to their chest this year, racing in very few circuits before Le Mans as to not reveal their new secrets. Audi even chose not to race their new R18 at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.  The race at Sebring Fla. is traditionally the prelude to Le Mans, and a chance for the manufacturers to size up their rivals. 

Peugeot pit stop.  Photo: Wade Harris.

Over their five year rivalry Peugeot has set the fastest lap times, trained the fastest drivers, and raced an overall a faster car.  However, Audi triumphs due to their superior strategy and pit stop execution.  Audi makes faster pit stops and better decisions on tire changes.  As a 24-hour race, Le Mans requires 3 drivers for each car, each of which drives in four-hour stints.  This means multiple driver changes during the race.  Also, a 24-hour race requires multiple stops for fuel and tire changes (done simultaneously with driver changes).  There are three tires the racers can use: slick tires for dry conditions, wet tires with grooves for rainy conditions, and a semi slick tire which is in between slick and wet.  Choosing the right tire for the right conditions is crucial. If there is a slick tire on the car and it starts to rain, the driver will most likely lose control and crash.  But if you have wet tires on in dry conditions, they provide less grip and make the car slower. Forecasting for weather conditions to time pit stops is crucial.  Audi wins because they plan for conditions better, and have faster driver changes and pit stops. Quick driving is exciting, but the real race is won in the pits. 

Peugeot has only taken down their German rival once in the last five years of their feud, but they have come back in 2011 with new vengeance.  The rival cars look almost identical in style and they both have similar diesel power.  Le Mans will no doubt be a close race. 

Audi leading the pack at the 2011 24 Hour Le Mans. Photo: Wade Harris.