Peugeot driver Anthony Davidson says he is unconcerned by the pace of the Audis at Silverstone, despite the R15 TDI Plus's sweeping the front row in qualifying.
Davidson's co-driver Nicolas Minassian qualified third, a second behind the pole-winning No. 7 car of Allan McNish, which came complete with a high-downforce package to the final round of the Le Mans Series this weekend.
But while the French driver spun on his first flying lap and was caught in traffic thereafter, Davidson remains convinced that it will be closer on Sunday and that Peugeot is capable of running as fast as Audi in the race.
"It's the first time we've met them in full downforce, and we have been waiting to see what their speed would be like, and it seems it's very much on our pace," Davidson said. "But that's a good thing, because it will make for a very good race.
"But we are not surprised at all at the pace of Audi. Qualifying didn't go our way. But I am certain we could have done that lap time. Nic had a spin and after that he didn't get the best out of car because of traffic, even his best lap was done in traffic. Silverstone always been a track where you have to maximize your time."
Davidson is racing on the British Grand Prix circuit for the first time since the introduction of the Arrowhead section, and the former Honda F1 driver said he is enjoying the changes.
"I really like it," he said. "I'm still learning it. We are time limited on parts so we are short on laps, so I am still finding my way around it. You don't get many laps to hone your setup and rhythm in the Le Mans Series."
Asked what his favorite part of the new section was he replied: the Turn 11/12 Abbey high-speed chicane. It's the biggest challenge, with the bump going in to it which upsets the balance of the car. It rewards commitment. But it caught me out yesterday which is why I spun."