Despite very disappointing results, Peugeot maintains its desire to remain in the World Endurance Championship for the long term. And while the issue clearly doesn’t lie with the drivers, changes are expected this coming winter - with Nick Cassidy's arrival the first major change.
Where does Peugeot stand?
Largely uncompetitive throughout race week - and admittedly hampered by the Balance of Performance - Peugeot finished the 93rd edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours with a very disappointing result: 11th and 16th places.
Nevertheless, it has reiterated its commitment to the WEC. But how can it finally become competitive?
"To be honest, what is clear is that it doesn’t make sense for Peugeot to be in the WEC without being in a position to win at Le Mans," said technical director Olivier Jansonnie.
“There are only two options: one is that they dramatically change the way they balance the cars at Le Mans. And the second is for us to be allowed to do something different. It’s always in the regulatory body’s hands to decide who is allowed and who is not allowed to have a new car.”
As The Race revealed back in March, Peugeot is indeed working on a new car, although the ACO has stated that the terms related to the extension of the current rules through to the end of 2032 still need to be defined. The timeline for the competition debut of the current 9X8’s successor will depend on that decision.
Is Peugeot still attractive to drivers?
With around 10 manufacturers competing in the Hypercar/GTP class, the driver market in endurance racing is quite lively, and the newcomers are taking a close look at Peugeot.
Whether behind the wheel, in the garage, or on the pitwall, there is no shortage of talent.
With so many manufacturers in the field, is Peugeot appealing to drivers looking for a WEC Hypercar break? Clearly, it's not one of the most attractive given its lack of results. There has already been significant turnover among engineers, mechanics, and even drivers, as the line-ups have changed every season since its first race in July 2022. It currently fields Paul di Resta, Mikkel Jensen and Jean-Eric Vergne in its #93 car and Loic Duval, Malthe Jakobsen and Stoffel Vandoorne in its #94.
However, beyond the promise of the development of a new car, Peugeot has another asset: it belongs to the Stellantis group, which is active on multiple fronts, including another world championship in Formula E.
This offers drivers the opportunity for a double programme that is as financially rewarding as it is exciting from a sporting perspective, as Vergne and Vandoorne have benefitted from so far by combining their Peugeot WEC drives with DS Penske and Maserati MSG Formula E seats respectively.
Still, at least one departure is expected from Peugeot, and naturally, replacements will be needed.
Cassidy just the first change?
Next year, there will be no calendar clashes between Formula E and the WEC, a major opportunity for those lucky enough to get this double programme.
As The Race can reveal, this is how Stellantis managed to attract the fast and talented Cassidy after his Jaguar exit, offering him a seat in the WEC with Peugeot and a Formula E drive with what's currently Maserati MSG (likely to be rebranded as Citroen).
Cassidy made a WEC appearance in 2022 driving a Ferrari entered by AF Corse in the GTE Am class, pictured above. The 30-year-old New Zealander has won titles in Super GT (2017) and Super Formula (2019) and has become one of the stars of Formula E, coming close to the championship first with Jaguar's customer team Envision in 2023 then with Jaguar itself last season.
But he has never hidden his desire to return to the WEC, and this time in the top class. His wish is about to come true.
Who'll be left out?
At least one driver is expected to leave Peugeot this winter, possibly more. That could open the door for current reserve driver Theo Pourchaire, who took his first-ever endurance pole position last Saturday at Imola in the European Le Mans Series.
It’s also worth noting that Stellantis has never allowed more than two of its drivers to compete in both the WEC and Formula E simultaneously. Will it make an exception next year given the lack of calendar clashes? That remains uncertain.
Especially since, as The Race revealed this week, current McLaren driver Taylor Barnard has signed with the Penske Formula E operation, which is partnered with DS until the end of next season. With Maximilian Guenther, Vergne, Cassidy and Vandoorne already in the mix, that makes five drivers for just four Stellantis group Formula E seats. Who will be left out? Probably Vandoorne.
However, the Belgian remains under contract with Stellantis, so losing one of its Formula E seats doesn’t mean he won’t be driving a Peugeot 9X8 in the WEC next year. The ex-Formula 1 driver and 2022 Formula E champion's pedigree makes him a highly sought-after driver, though.
from The Race https://ift.tt/sJmt2oV
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