SATISFACTION OVER PERCEPTION

A love affair started at Paul Ricard late in 2008. Anthony Davidson got behind the wheel of a prototype for the first time – Peugeot’s 908 HDi turbodiesel LMP1 – and was smitten. The love turned out to be unrequited, at least initially. But when it was belatedly returned, the Brit kicked on with a sportscar career that earned him the right to call himself a world champion. That’s not to forget a total of 14 big wins, the Sebring 12 Hours included, across multiple series during eight seasons with Peugeot and then Toyota.

“I remember driving that car for the first time at Ricard and falling in love with it and LMP1,” recalls Davidson just a couple of weeks after calling time on his professional racing career. “I just loved it, it really suited my style and I was quick in it. Sometimes you just click with a racing car; it was like an extension of my body.”

Yet Davidson didn’t get the opportunity to race the 908 the following year. His chances were undone by a change of top brass at Peugeot Sport. He had a draft contract – in French – but the place earmarked for him in a three-car team at