LE MANS: 10 Questions with Peugeot’s David Brabham
Brabham's pace in a prototype is unrivaled, as is his leadership and workman-like demeanor. After two fruitless attempts to win the 24 hour, Brabs is the perfect choice to get them to victory circle. (Peugeot) » More Photos
Acura ALMS star and Peugeot's newest Le Mans 24 Hours signing sat down with Marshall Pruett to discuss his addition to the French P1 team. After two GT1 class wins with Aston Martin, Brabs is primed to add an overall victory to his resume. In a move that's been widely recognized as the smartest the 908 team has made to date, Brabham could be the catalyst Peugeot's lacked in their two previous attempts at Le Mans.
1. Pruett: When did you start talking with Peugeot? How easy or hard was the process of joining them for Le Mans?
Brabham: It started after the Autosport International Show in January where I was asked on stage about my Le Mans program which, at the time was zero, and it was a great opportunity for me to let world know I was free and able to do it as long as I had the permission of Acura and Patron Highcroft Racing. I had an email from Peugeot the Monday after the show asking if I was available and what my contractual arrangements were. Once I was given the OK by John Mendel from Acura, Erik Berkman from HPD and Duncan Dayton, my team boss, which I got very quickly, then the deal was done within a week.
2. Pruett:Did they state what they were looking for from you beyond speed and experience?
Brabham: They didn’t say anything directly to me about it, just asked if I was available. There is obviously a change in policy at Peugeot in terms of having just young drivers either in or just out of F1 to having someone like myself much more experienced in sportscar racing. I can bring a lot of Le Mans-specific experience to the program, 15 years worth at the race, to help benefit it.
3. Pruett:What do you expect to bring to the team that they’ve been needing over the past two years?
Brabham: This is probably covered by the answer above, but the big thing is the ability to look at the bigger picture without being too worried if I’m fastest or not.
Sampling the 908's turbo-diesel power for the first time left Brabham grasping for words to describe the experience. (Peugeot) » More Photos
4. Pruett:What kind of testing program do you have in place before the race?
Brabham: It’s an intensive one. We’ve already tested at Barcelona and we will be going to Italy and France to do more endurance work in preparation, as well as the Spa 1000 Km race in May.
5. Pruett:After a few years of small displacement naturally-aspirated engines behind you, what was your first impression of the 908’s twin-turbo diesel?
Brabham: I said “Holy ****”!! My experience of turbo diesel is non-existent and there’s obviously a lot of torque and power associated with
these engines. It’s great to
have the experience of what it feels like after seeing them blow past you on straights in other races!
6. Pruett:What (if any) kind of driving adjustments did the engine and car require you to make?
Brabham: I had to change my driving style; the way the car handles into a corner, uses its tires and the delivery of power requires a different style.
7. Pruett:How did you get on with the rest of the Peugeot drivers? Were there any you didn’t know well that you’ve gotten to know and are particularly impressed with?
Brabham: I know everybody pretty well except for Christian Klien and the two drivers I’m going to be driving with (Gene/Wurz) – I know them the least. They are both very experienced, with Alex winning Le Mans back in 1996 in a Joest TWR Porsche, and Marc is a current F1 test driver. It’s been great to get to know them and listen to the way they talk about the car because all three of us are in a sense development drivers.
After relying on young ex-F1 drivers to steer their cars, Peugeot's realized that a veteran driver presence is necessary if they're going to beat Audi. (Peugeot) » More Photos
8. Pruett:It’s been a while since you and Sebastien Bourdais shared a GT2 Panoz Esperante…any thoughts on being together again in a slightly faster program…
Brabham: I like Sebastien a lot. He’s a very good driver and easy to get along with. Although we’re not sharing a car, we are in same team and that’s nice because we had such a great time in the Panoz, winning Sebring together. It’s great that we can continue that in an environment where we can win overall – Le Mans is the big one.
9. Pruett:What’s your first impression of Peugeot’s technical team? How was it working with Technical Director Bruno Famin?
Brabham: My first impressions are that it’s a very good team, with a lot of technical know-how. Bruno, like any other TD, is very knowledgeable and passionate about racing, but it’s still early days in terms of me getting to know him. I’m looking forward to developing that relationship.
10. Pruett:From your initial laps in the car, where does the 908 HDi FAP rank amongst the other iconic prototypes you’ve raced at La Sarthe?
Brabham: The car reminds me of the Bentley the most in that it’s a similar type of car. Although it wasn’t a diesel, it was a turbo-engined car. As for a ranking, ask me again after Le Mans!
