We're already seeing 3:23s during the first test session. We'll break the magical 3:20 barrier this year, without a doubt.

Now that I'm at it, it's odd that Peugeot could lap that fast in 2009 and 2010 while Audi/Toyota could never repeat those times on the following years. What did Peugeot had to be so fast even when compared to the 1000HP of this year's cars?

That's not a valid comparison as the cars are completely different now. The entire chassis rules changed. The fact the new cars are even down at 3:23 is incredible.

@RebellionRacing
Pure Drama at Le Mans ...
@NickHeidfeld crashed entry Porsches
He is out if car and he's Ok

Because the engines got detuned. That's why Audi moved from open to closed cars for 2011, because the reduction in power meant that low drag became more important than the simplicity of some of the systems of the car. It's also why in 2011 especially you could see the fumes of the diesel, because the fuel air mixture was higher.

As deggis says, this years cars don't have 1000hp on tap. They have 500hp from a combustion engine (approx) and 500hp when the hybrid unit is fully charged and utilised.

ACO appear to be testing the slow zone procedure but in an unusual way. They have a safety car out right now (during testing..?) AND are testing a slow zone on the start and finish straight. But the slow zone speeds are REALLY slow, and the safety car is faster than the slow zone, so the cars aren't keeping up. Why are we testing a SC AND a slow zone together?

Edit: cars reporting they cannot actually go as slow as the slow zone limit without overheating and other various engine issues.

Fuck purism, Safety cars are the safest and more entertaining way to deal with incidents.