PEUGEOT AT THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. For its big comeback, twelve years after its last participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Peugeot could have difficulties on the legendary Le Mans route. If the expectations of the public are high, the recent performances of the 9X8 hardly lead to optimism.
Between Le Mans and Peugeot, the story came to an end in 2012. In a way as brutal as the announcement, in January of the same year, of the end of the commitment of the sports branch of Peugeot in Endurance. Then in the grip of financial difficulties, the firm of the lion brand had decided on the spot. Ten years later, Peugeot, back in the saddle economically thanks to the success of some of its models, the 208 or the 3008 in particular, decided to dive back. The Sochaux manufacturer’s cars made their big comeback in Endurance at the end of last year and are competing this year in the world championship in its entirety (7 races).
Fourth round of the season orchestrated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the 24 Hours of Le Mans, whose centenary edition is being held on June 10 and 11, is the No. 1 exhibition scene for these prototypes. race. Peugeot’s presence in the premier Hypercar category is obviously one of the events of the weekend. The manufacturer’s history is intimately linked to that of the 24 Hours. The Peugeot 905, winner in 1992 and 1993, and the 908, winner in 2009, have left their mark on the Sarthe circuit. The third success 14 years ago is also to date the last of a French brand at Le Mans, Audi, then Porsche and finally Toyota having then each in turn confiscated the keys to the circuit.
Disappointing tests but in line with recent months
Needless to say, the Peugeot 9X8, the prototype developed to compete in Endurance, has a heavy heritage. The single-seater, unveiled in 2021, is expected to perpetuate the level of performance of the Franche-Comté manufacturer in motorsport. But it is clear, after a few months of competition, that there is still a long way to go before competing with its illustrious predecessors. After several months of testing, the Hypercar prototype made its debut last July at the 6 Hours of Monza.
Unsurprisingly, the 9X8 had suffered from the comparison with the Toyotas and other Alpines (then still in the premier category but entered in LMP2 in 2023) in pure performance, while a little later, at Fuji and Bahrain, it was mainly mechanical problems that had slowed his progress. The return to Le Mans should not allow for miracles, and if the gap has narrowed a little, Ferrari, Toyota and even Porsche also back still seem a long way off, probably around two seconds per lap in race configuration. That makes a lot…
The two Peugeot 9X8s were unable to join the fight for pole position and were even deprived of Hyperpole, unable to place among the first 8 Hypercars in qualifying. The n°93 and n°94 will start from the 5th and 6th row at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the ambitions seem to be above all to learn to come back stronger in 2024. “We know it will be a difficult race because this year remains a year of learning for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies but the whole team is ready to take up one of its greatest challenges, during this unpredictable race and against extremely tough competition, noted Linda Jackson before the start on Saturday June 10 , Managing Director of Peugeot: “I am delighted to be back at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to share our passion for motorsport with all our fans.”
Photos of the Peugeot 9X8, a Hypercar without a rear wing!
The winter tests were to allow the engineers to improve the reliability of the 9X8 without a fixed rear wing – a particularity in Hypercar – and to make it more efficient. But the season-opening round at Sebring in mid-March was a nightmare. Lacking pace, the two cars finished at 31th and 32th place, very far away – at 26 and…98 laps! – of the winner (Toyota). The n°94, driven by Loïc Duval, Gustavo Menezes and Nico Müller, experienced its first technical problem on the formation lap… Fortunately, the clearing came a month later in Portugal, at Portimao, where the two 9x8s crashed. ranked at 5th and 7th place. Encouraging results that the lionesses were however unable to confirm at the end of April at Spa-Francorchamps. If the mechanics held up this time, the performance of the cars, 14th and 17th at the finish, they were still light years away from the Toyotas but also from the Ferraris, Porsches and Cadillacs.
Who are the drivers behind the wheel of the 9X8?
There is no doubt that the drivers of Team Peugeot TotalEnergies will give their all on June 10 and 11 to avoid doing extra work. The manufacturer has also opted for homogeneous and fairly experienced crews for this first full season in the Endurance Championship. In n°93, the Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne (33 years old) and the Scotsman Paul di Resta (37 years old), both passed by Formula 1, supervise the Dane Mikkel Jensen (28 years old). The n°94 is also driven by a Frenchman, the Chartrain Loïc Duval (40 years old), surrounded by the American Gustavo Menezes (28 years old) and the Swiss Nico Müller (31 years old). Drivers among the very best on the board.
So, what can the Peugeots expect for their big return to Le Mans? If the Sarthois circuit and its long straight lines could be better suited to its 2.6-litre twin-turbo V6 – its internal combustion engine located at the rear while two electric motors drive the front wheels -, the 9X8 will not be able to catch up on the competition. This 91th edition, that of the centenary, should above all allow the lion brand to regain its bearings in the most legendary endurance race and above all to continue the development of its racing car. To play for victory, it will certainly still have to wait, but Peugeot seems to have given itself the time by planning a five-year commitment to the 24 Hours.