Minassian hails 'unbelievable' 908

The Frenchman, who set a stunning 1m06.937s lap to snatch pole from Franck Montagny's sister 908 HDi FAP, admitted that while the team would prefer the race to be dry, it expects to ultra-competitive in all conditions.

"Our car is unbelieveable," he told AUTOSPORT. "The team is working really well. The car is really well balanced and it is a really good race car. I don't want it to rain, but if it comes it will work well anyway."

The two Peugeots have set the pace all weekend and the team appears to have a significant advantage over its diesel Audi rivals.

"We have gone well all week," said Minassian, "even though we have had our work cut out for us because the other 908 was the faster of the two cars.

"We have been able to make good progress thanks to a free exchange of information between the two crews. I got in two clean laps in qualifying which allowed me to push hard and make the most of my tyres.

"Since the beginning of the year, everyone at the Peugeot Sport team has made progress and I am sure that our prototype is the best in the world!"

Montagny, who along with co-driver Stephane Sarrazin had been the pace-setters for much of practice, admitted that he was disappointed not to have got the pole.

"I am pleased to see that the front row is an all-Peugeot affair, although I'm obviously a little disappointed with the way qualifying went for me," he said. "I was caught in traffic on two of my five flying laps, but that's part and parcel of the job. This was my first qualifying run with the Peugeot this season."