Aston Martin Racing boss David Richards says his team will resist switching to diesels in a bid to beat the dominant oil-burners from Peugeot and Audi at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Aston’s LMP1 was the top petrol-powered car at the enduro classic last year - but it finished fourth, a full nine laps behind the winning Peugeot 908 HDi.
Le Mans’ rules are being modified over the next 12 months in a bid to create a more level playing field between diesels, petrols and hybrids.
But Richards told Autocar that Aston would remain focused on further developing its car’s DB9-derived V12 petrol powerplant.
“I cannot envisage Aston Martin building a diesel sports car,” he said. “We have been promised a more level playing field next year by the ACO [the race organiser] and we are seeking further assurances on that.
“Will we need to adopt hybrid technology in the future? We’d rather see a scenario where there is greater variety. If Aston Martin chooses to build a lighter car that is powered by petrol, then we’d like that to be accepted and reflected in the rules.”
This year’s Le Mans 24 Hours takes place on 12-13 June.
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Re: Aston Martin: 'No Le Mans diesel'
Re: Aston Martin: 'No Le Mans diesel'
What more information would you like from the comparison?
It seems to me that many people believe that it's much cheaper to run a diesel, yet that's not always the case. Especially when you're paying more not only for the diesel but the car in the first place. And diesels don't give the same performance, so the comparison is unfair against the petrol car!
And "short period" was a month, long enough I believe. No, it doesn't take a month for a bumper to be fixed but it does when the person has no insurance!
Re: Aston Martin: 'No Le Mans diesel'
I agree with Aston Martin's sentiments on not building a diesel car - why would a company which doesn't sell diesel cars want to build one to race at Le Mans? Diesel makes sense to Audi and Peugeot as they sell lots of them, so they can show off their technology, but not Aston.
I also agree with encouraging variety, rather than stifling it like F1 is doing. Parity is an ongoing nightmare for every variation that you allow and mistakes are inevitable, but it is a price worth paying.
As for the impromptu comparison by one man between one petrol car and one diesel car over a short period with no further information or analysis, that's so ridiculous it's scarcely believeable, and part of the reason people get so confused about whether a petrol or diesel car is better for them.