Aston Martin target Le Mans podium

AMR team principal George Howard-Chappell believes that with the swinging changes in the 2009 regulations - including a 10% reduction in power for the turbo-diesel powered cars as well as 20% aero cuts for the LMP1 category - make it difficult to predict the form book.

But he added that the regulations will almost certainly bring the petrol-powered challengers closer to the hitherto dominant Audis and Peugeots.

And this, he says, could play into the hands of the first works petrol-powered assault on Le Mans since the all-conquering Audi R8.

"I think we would be close," Howard-Chappell told autosport.com. "I don't know enough about diesel technology and diesel racing engines in particular to give a really accurate answer.

"A few percent is all you need to be a second and a half quicker than your opposition at Le Mans and that's enough. So it's a fine game, and that's why the rules have been adjusted this year, because it was clear that it was wrong.

"We'd obviously be delighted with a podium," he added. "If we can get the two cars to run through cleanly, that will be an achievement in itself. As I have said before, you don't know where people are, and you never know what is going to happen.

"It would have been possible to win in the last two, probably three years overall, with a car that was quite a bit slower than the car which won, if it had required no attention at all.

"It's finding that balance between your ultimate pace and something which is rock solid. And having drivers that make no mistakes of course."

Although there is no official timeframe given to achieve success at Le Mans, Howard-Chappell hinted that the Gulf-sponsored programme, which is based on an evolution of the Charouz Racing System Lola Aston Martin, could continue into 2010 if the circumstances were right.

"Well, we did have the toe in the water last year, and this year's car is an evolution of that," he said. "Next year is also the last year of big capacity engines at Le Mans so we very much hope we'll be able to continue this on into next year, but we will have to wait and see."