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The biggest problem that the #3 Audi had at LM last year was a fuel pump problem what seemed to be a once in a million problem, like the Pug's airjack problem was(aside from the fact that it was rumored to be hydraulics related, which to me has always been a Peugeot sticking point, as those hydraulics haven't always been reliable, even recently as last year), as well as drivers who rode the curbs too hard and jammed the power steering and had too little expirence in an LMP1 car.
In reality, the problems that Peugeot had at LM and such are more numerous and their sheer speed negated a lot of that, especially in '08. But as has been proven, if you have issues, a fast car won't always save you. Yes, the Pugs should be more reliable now, but how much of that is the ACO ratcheting back the diesels-smaller air restrictors and reduced turbocharger boost means less power and more fuel mileage, and above all else less stress on the car's mechanicals. The years that the Pugs had trouble was the years with the big air restrictors and turbo boost numbers.
Audi on the other hand last year got side tracked with an aero concept that didn't pay the dividends they wanted, and had to hire at the last minute two drivers(Bernhard and Dumas) who had little LMP1 experience and didn't like the R15-how they adapt to the 2010 R15 may rule for or against their future at Audi. And don't get me started on the Porsche/VW politics, which although resolved in VW's favor due to Porsche's near bankruptcy, it still took away from the LM program.
Audi seems to be more focused this year with a car that they seem to have confidence in once more, and are going up against a car even though Peugeot seem to have confidence in, it seems to have minimal development compared to last year, due in part likely to Peugeot's own fincancial concerns. Either Peugeot believes that the all-motor 908 is still the ticket to LM, or they've saved the R&D money for a rainy day(read 909, or more likely, the LMIC).
Audi's cars have tended to be more reliable at LM, while Peugeot seems to be faster. Last year, with Audi somewhat sidetracked, Peugeot got luck on their side for once. But like with Audi last year, Peugeot's luck can run out, but we won't find out until June, won't we?
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