24 HOURS OF LE MANS. Twelve years after its last participation, Peugeot is preparing to make its big comeback on the legendary Le Mans route for the 2023 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While public expectations are high, the 9X8’s recent performance is hardly cause for 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 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).
The fourth round of the season orchestrated by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the 24 Hours of Le Mans, whose centenary edition will be held on June 10 and 11, is the No. 1 exhibition stage for these prototypes. race. Peugeot’s presence in the premier Hypercar category will obviously be 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 the last of a French brand to date at Le Mans, Audi, then Porsche and finally Toyota having then each in turn confiscated the keys to the circuit.
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 9×8 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 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 in 31st and 32nd place, a long way off – 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 ranked 5th and 7th. 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, were still light years ahead of the Toyotas but also of the Ferraris, Porsches and Cadillacs.
There is no doubt that the Team Peugeot TotalEnergies drivers will give their all on June 10 and 11 to avoid making up the numbers. 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) and the Scotsman Paul di Resta (37), both passed through Formula 1, frame the Danish Mikkel Jensen (28). 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 Peugeots expect for their big return to Le Mans? If the Sarthois circuit and its long straight lines could be more suitable for its 2.6-liter V6 twin-turbo engine – 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 91st 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, we will certainly have to wait, but Peugeot seems to have given itself the time by planning a five-year commitment to the 24 Hours.
