Le Mans
With the expected date approaching for Peugeot to announce their drivers, the speculation on who they may be is growing.
Autosport has reported that former F1 race winner, Olivier Panis is in line for a seat. It is also understood that he will quit Toyota F1 at the end of the year, hence making him free to take a Peugeot drive next year. Another driver that could make the race seat is Eric Helary, which could be a good bet as he has done and will do much of the testing for the team for the 908 and has driven for them in the past.
It has been speculated that Frenchmen, Stephane Sarrizan and Romain Dumas, currently competing in the American Le Mans Series could drive for Peugeot. Sarrizan could make the leap with the state of his WRC and Prodrive relationship being unconfirmed at this stage, he could jump over. Dumas, however, is expected to stay with Porsche in 2007.
Fellow Frenchmen, Nicolas Minassian and Emmanuele Collard have also been mooted for the drive. Minassian’s contract is understood to ending at the end of this year with Creation and he could make the switch. Collard’s current spot with Pescarolo is a good one but with doubt still lingering over the Pescarolo commitment to 2007 racing, he could make the switch. Same goes for teammate Jean-Christophe Boullion.
Former F1 drivers, Johnny Herbert and Jean Alesi have also been touted for the drive. Herbert is a long-shot as he would have to come out of retirement and quit his job at Spyker Midland F1 team to join. Alesi, however, has stated that he will not return to the DTM next year but whether this is to go into retirement or race for Peugeot is not clear.
A multitude of non-Frenchmen is also rumoured to join Peugeot. Jamie Campbell-Walter, Guy Smith, David Brabham and Oliver Gavin are the drivers. It is known and would be sensible for Peugeot to have an international driver lineup. Gavin’s name has been going round for a while and would be a good choice despite his lack of LMP1 experience. Campbell-Walter is believed to be staying at Creation next year so this is doubted to happen. Smith is a former winner and should be available for next year. Brabham, a strong racer is also available. Both Smith and Brabham could make it into the Peugeot lineup.
Other Frenchmen have also been rumoured including Julian Briche, Frank Montagny and Didier Andre, Erik Comas, Christophe Bouchet and Xavier Pompidou. All could be a possibility except Montagny who will be testing for Toyota in F1 next year. Also if Pescarolo loses a driver one would expect Andre to drive for Pescarolo next year as he has raced with them this year. The others are all in the running.
The FeedMeSportscars pick: Panis, Minassian, Sarrizan in one car and Collard, Smith and Gavin in the other. Will we be right? We will all find out later this month.
Sam Tickell