Peugeot attacks Le Mans with the obligation of getting a result
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will be a first litmus test for the 9X8 2024 version. The car from Sochaux, despite its undeniable aesthetic qualities, remains far from the target.
The tone is set: reliability and performance have been lacking at Peugeot since its return to WEC at the end of 2022. In the meantime, a few rare flashes of brilliance have given momentum to the Sochaux troops. How can we not mention the incredible feat at the head of the centenary edition with number 94? Not to mention the podium in Monza, at the following race.
The old version of the 9X8 said sad goodbyes to Losail: 2nd place, held by N°93, slipped away in the final lap. Even though the Vergne/Di Resta/Jensen crew had taken the lead of the 1812 kilometers in Qatar at the start of the race.
This lack of results is starting to upset the top management at Peugeot. Could this lead to the end of the 9X8 program? Jean-Marc Finot, the head of Stellantis Motorsport, is determined to defend the project until results come in.
Peugeot has endurance in its DNA and we didn’t come back to Le Mans by chance. More than ever, endurance racing is a fantastic marketing platform: the increasing popularity of the WEC and the 24 Hours of Le Mans provide the brand with great visibility.
But time could be running out. It should also be noted that Peugeot has chosen to start from a clean sheet to return to a more conventional car. « It is a completely new concept from which we still have much to learn », declares Olivier Jeansonnie, head of the endurance program.
The predicted rain could, however, give a good boost to Lion, where he had shone last year. « Rain may be a good opportunity for us » says Paul Di Resta (No. 93). And Loïc Duval (No. 94) was able to see for himself last year that one can go from heaven to hell in no time.
« The rain in Le Mans is really tough: on the road, the risk of aquaplaning is constant, a lot of water splashes… It’s a double-edged sword: either we benefit from it or we can lose everything. » Hence the importance « of being intelligent, » adds Mikkel Jensen on his side.
The 9X8 will start from 15th and 20th positions on the grid this Saturday. It’s up to the six drivers to make no mistakes on the track, keeping their fingers crossed for reliability to be there.
