Peugeot Sport revealed its WEC line-up for 2022 Hypercar entry, with the likes of Kevin Magnussen, Jean-Eric Vergne, Paul di Resta among the drivers, as Campos announced Gianluca Petecof in F2 and Enzo Fittipaldi switched to Indy Pro 2000 series.
Having shared details about its entry in WEC in the Hypercar class from 2022 onward, Peugeot has formally announced its driver line-up, with seven named. It includes former F1 drivers and now in sportscar, Magnussen, Vergne and di Resta.
Joining them will be Loic Duval, Mikkel Jensen and Gustavo Menezes, where James Rossiter will be official reserve driver. It is a power-packed line-up for Peugeot as Magnussen gets his second sportscar run alongside IMSA with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Vergne will dovetail his programme with Formula E as he moves away from G-Drive Racing along with Jensen, while di Resta moves on from United Autosports and Menezes from ByKolles. “The quality of the relationship between everybody involved in the project is fundamental,” said Jean-Marc Finot, Director, Stellantis Motorsport.
“Over and above their individual racing skills, the main criteria we took into account when assessing and talking with drivers were the ties they have with each other, their mind-set and their ability to work together to motivate and help take the team forward, because the human factor plays such a big part in endurance racing.
“We also wanted to establish that they saw their commitment with us as a priority and not just a line on their CV.” At the same time, Olivier Jansonnie added: “We looked at all the endurance racing championships that have been organised over the past five years. We didn’t just take individual results into consideration.
“We also examined the speed, consistency and reliability of a long list of drivers because we are looking for a line-up that meshes together well, with an eclectic mix of upcoming youngsters and experienced campaigners with proven development skills, especially in the field of hybrid power trains.”
Here’s video from Peugeot:
Enzo Fittipaldi moves to Indy Pro 2000, Gianluca Petecof to F2:
In a surprising step, former Ferrari academy driver Petecof announced a jump to F2 for the 2021 season with Campos Racing. The 2020 Formula Regional European Championship winner is bypassing the F3 step to move straight into the last step of F1 feeder series.
Petecof will join Ralph Boschung to complete the Campos’ 2021 F2 line-up. “It is an honour to know that one of the great Adrian’s last wishes was to have me in a Campos car and it motivates me in a special way more than ever before,” he said.
“Campos Racing has a winning culture and giving unique opportunities to young drivers is in the team’s DNA. I cannot wait to start working with them and prove ourselves once again.” At the same time, Sporting Director Adrián Campos Jr. added:
“I am sure that I speak on behalf of the entire team if I say that we are very excited to complete our Formula 2 driver line up with such a professional driver and so much hunger for victory like Gianluca.
“He has made a very important step of category and will have hard work ahead, but don’t forget that he is the current champion of the Formula Regional so we all have a lot of confidence and enthusiasm in the results that both Gianluca and Ralph can achieve in this 2021 season.
“This is an agreement that my father did not have the opportunity to complete before he passed away, but we know that completing the F2 line up with Gianluca was his wish and we have fought very hard to make it happen. I want to welcome him on behalf of Campos Racing and wish him the best of luck in this 2021 season.”
2021 F2 line-up so far:
Prema: Robert Shwartzman, Oscar Piastri
Hitech GP: Juri Vips, Liam Lawson
HWA Racelab: Matteo Nannini, Alessio Deledda
UNI-Virtuosi Racing: Felipe Drugovich
Carlin: Jehan Daruvala, Daniel Ticktum
MP Motorsport: Lirim Zendeli
Campos Racing: Ralph Boschung, Gianluca Petecof
DAMS: Marcus Armstrong, Roy Nissany
Staying with former Ferrari junior, E Fittipaldi joined Petecof on the list as the Brazilian announced his move to United States of America for 2021 Indy Pro 2000 series with Andretti Autosport/RP Motorsport, therefore leaving F3 series after one year.
“I am very happy to announce my trip to the United States in a championship as competitive as the Indy Pro 2000,” said Fittipaldi. “But I want to make it clear that I still dream of F1. I will continue to work hard every day for this and the titles I have won in the latter years in European motorsport accredit me so that the dream of the F1 stays alive.”
Here’s how Campos bid Adrian goodbye
Here’s news on Gianluca Petecof leaving Ferrari academy
Here’s how Enzo Fittipaldi fared in British F1 Virtual GP