Today saw Team Peugeot Total secure its first victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours with  the diesel-powered 908 HDi FAP which contested the French endurance classic for  the first time two years ago in 2007. This afternoon's result also takes the firm's Le  Mans score to three wins following its previous triumphs in 1992 and 1993.

The Peugeot squad monopolised the top-two places overall in this year's contest. And, with the exception of a short instant early in the race on Saturday afternoon, it led from flag to flag; initially with the N°8 car of Sarrazin/Montagny/Bourdais, then with the N°9 car (Gené/Wurz/Brabham) which inherited top spot just ahead of the fivehour mark, before going on to defend its advantage until the finish. The N°7 car (Minassian/Lamy/Klien) rounded off Peugeot's weekend by completing this year's thrilling Le Mans clash in sixth spot after collecting a series of minor setbacks during the night.

"It's such a great feeling to have won," beamed David Brabham for whom victory comes at his 16th attempt and whose brother Geoff formed part of Peugeot's winning trio back in 1993. "Peugeot Sport did a tremendous job; they really did. It's a great team, they gave us a 100 per cent reliable car and the three of us drove a faultless race."

Alexander Wurz, the youngest driver ever to win the endurance classic (1996), notched up his second success in La Sarthe today: "What made the difference? The fact that we kept it on the track without picking up any damage. We also had a great team behind us, and a phenomenal car. It's a fantastic feeling to have won in France in a French car."

"To have won a race this big is the best thing that has ever happened to me," concluded Marc Gené. "I've never experienced anything like it. It really is a very emotional moment for me."

The early pace was in fact set by the all-French crew sharing the N°8 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, thanks initially to an assertive, quadruple opening stint from Franck Montagny who powered away from pole position before spending three hours building up a handsome cushion at the hottest moment of the race on Saturday afternoon (28°C). The Frenchman's efforts were then relayed by crew-mate and pole-winner Stéphane Sarrazin.

Soon afterwards, however, the N°8 car lost the ground that would later cost it first place – and victory – when Sébastien Bourdais, the third man in the car, pitted with a broken disc bell. That cost the trio almost 10 minutes in repairs. The Le Mans-born driver then collided with a backmarker, damaging the front of his 908, and the time required to replace the front part of the body cost a further lap. "It's a great day for Peugeot," underlined Sébastien Bourdais. "They have worked so hard for this success and they really deserve it. I have a personal challenge which is to one day win what is my home race. It was a close-run thing this year, but I will be back until I succeed!