Acura will 'match Audi and Peugeot'

After becoming regular LMP2 class winners in their second season last year, Acura are introducing an all-new LMP1 car this year, to be run by Highcroft and de Ferran Motorsports.

Brabham has been Acura's leading light in the American Le Mans Series and took the LMP2 machine's first pole and overall win. He will stay on for the LMP1 move and thinks the new machine will be a major step forward even though the smaller prototype was already capable of outright victories.

"The rate of development in the P2 class in the last two or three years was phenomenal and we were able to beat the P1 guys," said Brabham at Autosport International.

"We're moving up, we've got more power, we will have a faster car, but at some tracks the gap isn't going to be that great.

"Certainly at Sebring we had a fast car but the Audi and Peugeot were easily two seconds a lap quicker than us, so at tracks like that the P1 is going to make a huge difference. The new Acura is a lot more sophisticated than the LMP2 car was."

Although he is confident in the car's potential, Brabham is not expecting instant success.

"We're still at a very early stage of development so the first few races for us are going to be about reliability," he said. "Other cars, even P2 cars, could beat us in big races.

"We'll certainly know at Sebring where we stand. We're not as experienced in LMP1 as the other guys at Audi and Peugeot, but I certainly feel we'll have the speed. Now it's a matter of preparation to get ready for what I'm sure will be a titanic battle at Sebring."

Audi and Porsche have pulled out of the ALMS, and currently the only major teams committed to the 2009 championship are Acura's two LMP1 outfits, Fernandez Racing's LMP2 Acura, and Dyson Racing's new Lola-Mazda project.

Despite the dwindling numbers at the front, Brabham is confident that the series will remain strong.

"You want competition. The world is changing, motorsport is changing. Everything is having to change to sustain itself," he said.

"I'm fortunate to be in a programme that is committed to this year. We're going to have pretty healthy grids in the American Le Mans Series this year so it hasn't affected our series as much as some others. Okay, Audi aren't there but there are still other teams to beat."

He added that the Le Mans 24 Hours remained on Acura's agenda, but that the car had to prove itself in the ALMS first.

"It's certainly on their wish list, but a lot of things have to fall into place," Brabham said. "We have a new car and it needs to be proven to the people who make the decision that it's reliable and fast, and that's what we've got to do first."