Peugeot hope to retain all drivers

There had been suggestions that the French company may not have a long-term interest in endurance racing, to the point where this year's Le Mans entry may have been a one-off.

But Peugeot's Michel Barge said that they would not have put so much energy into a program that they were not committed to for the long haul.

"We gave ourselves a two-year period to learn," he said. "We have to work on the car's reliability, but our first year was very positive.

"What we learned in 2007 will help us to be more competitive in 2008. We didn't invest in all of that human and technological means for just one participation."

Barge went on to say that the team would be delighted to return with the same six drivers they had this year, but admitted that some may find it hard to commit.

Jacques Villeneuve has expressed a desire to race at Le Mans again next year, although he is also looking for a full-time ride in NASCAR, and Sebastien Bourdais is in the frame for a Formula One seat.

"Of course we are going to invite our drivers back," he said. "But we need to see what their availability is going to be, and we will decide at the correct time."