Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Team Claims 2009 Le Mans Victory
Peugeot broke Audi’s run at the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the 908 HDi FAP securing a dominant 1-2 finish in a race marked by reliability and pace.
Peugeot ended Audi’s near-decade run at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009, with the diesel-powered 908 HDi FAP taking both first and second place. The French manufacturer had not won at La Sarthe since 1993, making the result a landmark for the team and for Peugeot’s diesel racing programme.
How Peugeot won Le Mans in 2009
The 2009 race saw Peugeot’s trio of 908 HDi FAP prototypes take on Audi’s new R15 TDI. After years of development, Peugeot’s effort paid off as the 908s combined outright speed with reliability. The No. 9 car, driven by David Brabham, Marc Gené and Alexander Wurz, led home the sister No. 8 car, while Audi’s challenge was blunted by mechanical issues and a lack of pace compared to the Peugeots.
The 908 HDi FAP’s 5.5-litre V12 diesel engine delivered both power and efficiency, allowing the team to run longer stints and maintain a strong pace throughout the 24 hours. Peugeot’s pit strategy and minimal time lost to technical problems proved decisive.
Race highlights and video coverage
Video footage from the event captures the Peugeot team’s preparation, pit stops and the closing moments as the 908 HDi FAP crossed the finish line. The race was not without incident elsewhere in the field, but Peugeot’s run was largely trouble-free. The team’s performance has since been recognised as a high point in diesel prototype racing.
- Peugeot’s 908 HDi FAP led 382 of 382 laps completed by the winning car
- Audi’s best-placed R15 TDI finished third
- Peugeot’s last Le Mans win before its withdrawal from the event in 2012
Legacy of the 908 HDi FAP win
The 2009 victory cemented Peugeot’s place in modern Le Mans history and demonstrated the competitiveness of diesel technology in endurance racing. The result remains a reference point for the team, especially as Peugeot later withdrew from the event in 2012 due to economic pressures. For further details on Peugeot’s later Le Mans history, see Peugeot Withdraws from 2012 Le Mans Amid Economic Pressure.
