Le Mans 2011- The Fistfight between Audi and Peugeot

 Clearly, these are the two largest and best teams in the LMP1 category for Le Mans. Audi has been a force to be reckoned with in the past decade, but Peugeot rejoined the fray in 2007 with their 908 to compete against Audi's all-conquering R10 TDI. A new generation of the 908 will be paired against the brand new Audi R18 TDI closed-top racer.

The advantage?

Peugeot right now has the upper hand simply because they have tested it more, Although a 1st generation 908 beat the new version at Sebring, Audi did not even race the R18 there, opting to go for the R15 instead to give R&D more time to develop the car for the new regulations.

The new LMP1 category vehicles now have F1-style fins and the power output has been reduced as well. All-Wheel-Drive is now permitted, but one will likely not be seen until 2012-2013 (I'm watching you, Audi). Fuel tanks have also been reduced so there may be more pit stops, but at the same time the fuel economy has increased as well.

The ACO is clearly aiming to bring back production relevance to the Prototype divisions, and it could make for some ingenious vehicles in the coming years. Right now, it's how to do more with less.

A vehicle for LMP2 may not cost more than 400,000 euros for both the engine and chassis. This will certainly make it more affordable for outsiders to come into the sport. I would certainly not mind seeing a Ganassi/Chevrolet or Honda entry or even Penske rejoining the field in the coming years.

A lot of time, preparation, and luck goes into winning any endurance race. A 24-Hour enduro is the most demanding of them all. Oreca won at Sebring with a little bit of luck, but also with a tried and true vehicle that can still perform at a very high level. I would not count out the Oreca boys at all; they have the experience to win Le Mans.

Peugeot's lead car has a world-class driver lineup and the crew to overcome just about anything, but I expect the #3 Audi of Dindo Capello, Allan McNish, and Tom Kristensen to go on and win this year. Kristensen has had a rough go of it the last two years but he's still the winningest driver ever at Le Mans, one you can never sleep on. Kristensen, Capello, and McNish form arguably the most experienced trio ever assembled for a sports car race, and experience really does matter at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Kristensen fastest in practice...my prediction is looking solid

Audi went 1st, 2nd, and 4th today, while Peugeot managed only 3rd and 5th.