Fuji 6 Hours: Peugeot sends a strong message to its detractors
After a very challenging season and a missed podium in Qatar, Peugeot achieved a very nice fourth place in Fuji. It is the best result for the French brand. For the first time this season, they placed both cars in the points.
We weren’t expecting them to be in this position. The Peugeots impressed at Fuji. Both cars finished in the points zone. Whether in race pace, traffic management or cleanliness, the two 9X8s were flawless.
Car #93, which achieved the best results among French cars this season, repeated such a feat in Japan. It finished the 6-hour race in fourth place, just three seconds behind the Alpine #35 on the podium.
Three seconds away from the podium
« It was a big fight on the track and I was pushing hard to stay in the lead lap, I had no idea of my position. My tires were worn out, but I kept going at the same pace. I am super happy with this fourth place, it’s a very good result for the team », rejoices Mikkel Jensen from #93.
The other car, the #94, which had not finished a single race in the points this season, defied fate. It took advantage of some race incidents and the experience of its drivers to break into the Top 10. The 9X8 finished in eighth position, in the same lap as the Porsche #6 which won the penultimate round of the championship.
« A complicated race, with many incidents on track, numerous interruptions… Loïc (Duval) got off to a great start and that put us on the right track. Afterwards, we were sometimes a bit unlucky with certain safety cars, but overall, this eighth place is a good result in this highly competitive championship. It’s a great day for the team », announces Stoffel Vandoorne from #94.
Finally on the board for the #94
With this result, all Hypercars have entered the points zone this season. Only the #94 was missing. A small satisfaction, with the four units registered today, it pushed the Lamborghini #63 to the last position.
« This marks very noticeable progress compared to previous races and rewards the team, which, given the personal efforts and investments, truly deserved this result. We had a very good tire strategy that made the difference by keeping new tires for the end of the race. This result brings joy to Peugeot fans, and it is our greatest reward, tells Jean-Marc Finot, Stellantis Motorsport Senior VP.
