“Finishing the season on the podium is a great achievement”: Peugeot ends its season on a high note
After a generally difficult season, Peugeot increased its level of play at the end of the season. After narrowly missing the podium in Fuji, the Lionesses obtained it in Bahrain. A reward given on a silver platter, but one that rewards all the efforts made.
The season has been difficult. For its second full season in the World Endurance Championship, Peugeot experienced many lows. The new version 9X8 struggled to adapt and find performance. It often occupied the last places in the Hypercar category. In addition, in Qatar, for the first round of the year, the old car was disqualified while a podium finish was within reach.
In Bahrain, for the last race of the year, the 9X8s started very far back. But with a perfect strategy and good tire management, the #93 was able to climb up the ranks and could hope for a podium finish. But the Ferrari #51 overtook the French car in the last quarter of an hour and it was finally a fourth place that awaited the team.
Peugeot was unable to take advantage of the podium.
A few hours after arrival, the stewards penalized the red car with a four-minute penalty, which thus put the #93 in third place.
(e) Even though it’s based on a decision by the stewards, finishing the season on the podium is a great achievement in this particularly competitive championship, even though it’s a shame that the timing didn’t allow Peugeot to truly enjoy the joy of the podium ceremony. The season started in difficult conditions with a car that took time to get to grips with, the team didn’t give up, and we are delighted to end the season with a positive result that reflects ongoing progress. However, this podium should only be a step towards more consistent results in the top positions, Jean-Marc Finot, Stellantis Motorsport Senior VP, points out.
Peugeot thus ends a complicated season with two excellent results. At Fuji, the car finished in fourth place, just behind Alpine. Proof that something has been found on this 9X8 throughout the events.
See you in 2025
« A difficult race, but rewarded with a superb result in the end. We started from the last position on the grid because of canceled laps in qualifying, but a great comeback brought us to the podium,” rejoices Nico Müller, driver of car #93. « The different tire strategies of our competitors were a bit complicated to analyze, but ours worked rather well. Finishing on the podium is totally incredible, even though I find it sad not to have been able to celebrate that, with all the emotions it brings to the team. We fought hard to get here and I am very happy with this result, I think that every member of the team deserves this trophy. »
On the other hand, there is a small negative side to Bahrain with the retirement of #94 due to a mechanical problem. The origin of this breakdown has not yet been identified. But it will help Peugeot to come back stronger next season. The team is already looking forward to 2025.
« We still have to investigate », declared Olivier Jansonnie, Technical Director of Peugeot Sport. « I am disappointed for #94. Both of our cars had a good race. We adopted the same tire strategy as in Fuji, that is to say to keep as much fresh rubber as possible for the end of the race, and it paid off again. »
