Peugeot on tight schedule with 908

The team had planned to join the American Le Mans Series field at the track, although they never had any plans to take part last weekend's Sebring 12 Hours.

However, the first public appearance of the diesel-powered car will now come at the official Le Mans Series pre-season test at Paul Ricard later this month.

Peugeot Sport director Michel Barge said: "The schedule of the cars is particularly busy, as is the programme that has been put together in the space of just one year."

While two of the 908s have now been built, the team will only have one car at Paul Ricard for six drivers to share.

"What with the test programme, rebuilds, modifications and preparation work, we have a great deal to do in a short period time," Barge added.

"This in turn makes calls on our logistics and human resources that occasionally need to be adjusted to enable us to pursue the current development phase in good conditions."

The team will continue to focus on reliability at the two-day test, rather than concentrate on how the new car compares to the rest of the LMS field.

Technical director Bruno Famin said: "As with any new car, we have had a certain number of small problems.

"This takes time and we have consequently placed the accent on reliability work and building up our understanding of the car."

Jacques Villeneuve will not attend the test, and the Canadian will be replaced by test driver Eric Helary.