Peugeot Stops LMP1 Program With Immediate Effect

[Robbo]

  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/18/peugeot-le-mans-idUSWEA853020120118

[termietermite]

Really sad but not much of a surprise.  Clearly, there would have been very little development money and Audi would just have pushed further and further ahead of them.  It was good to have some proper local interest though.  It's all up to Hugues now.

[landman]

Wow.

So many questions.

Does this mean Oreca are now the official team?

Drivers to where?

What happens to OQ?

Is this because they haven't won LM for the last 2 years or are they worried about increased competition?

Negative publicity from last year's race?

Combination of the above?

[Robbo]

Does this mean Oreca are now the official team?

Oreca are running the official Toyota entry!

[Barry]

Read about this earlier this week, but can't remember where.
As Robbo says Oreca now in bed with the hybrid Toyota.
I read that Peugeot were going to try and sell cars to privateers, and support them as, in effect,  semi factory teams.
I will try and remember where I saw this.

[Barry]

Remember now on Speedtv.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/le-mans-peugeots-2012-program-still-unclear/

[Grand_Fromage]

http://www.lemans.org/en/races/fia-world-endurance-championship/updates/Peugeot_brings_down_the_curtain_on_its_endurance_programme_so_as_to_ensure_the_success_of_its_numerous_launches_in_2012_6006.html

[Jules G]

It's difficult for them to justify running the cars when I read somewhere that 6000 Peugoet workers are being made redundant.

Actually i'm quite glad as there tactics and driver antics during a few of the races (24 hr and Silverstone) last year were a disgrace.

[Barry]

Did the ACO have advance notice of this?
After all, no Pug on this years poster.

[garyfrogeye]

I wonder how that will effect the number of French people in the crowd and camping?

[Robbo]

Did the ACO have advance notice of this?
After all, no Pug on this years poster.

There are multiple posters around this year - I've seen the 908 and the R18 ones

[Barry]

Did the ACO have advance notice of this?
After all, no Pug on this years poster.

There are multiple posters around this year - I've seen the 908 and the R18 ones

Haven't seen the 908 ones, just the Bentley/Audi one.

[Barry]

Is it time for Henri to step up, buy the 908's, and try to save French pride, yet again.

[Lazy B'stard]

Wow, didn't see that one coming!

Can't see Henri getting involved. That on-loan and uninsured 908 a few years back cost him his company. I don't Peugeot top brass very very impressed either.

I've never warmed to Peugeot and very much dislike their sometimes unsporting actions on and off the track, but I'd rather they were still involved in the sport. Its going to take Toyota a few years to get competetive which will leave Audi to dominate with ease. That's not good for a sport that is moving onwards with a new world championship.

A black day really.

[PAFC OK]

Hasn't he got enough to do what with trying to revive Arsenals fortunes and all?