French manufacturer Peugeot has announced its intention to join the Hypercar programme of FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) from 2022/23 onward.
After the confirmation from Toyota and Aston Martin with their GR Super Sport car and Valkyrie in the Hypercar category of WEC from the inaugural 2020/21 season onward, Peugeot has also committed to the championship from 2022/23.
It will mark the return of Peugeot in sportscar racing since 2011, when it last competed in WEC, when it ran under Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. The French manufacturer last won the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2009 with its 908 HDi FAP diesel LMP1 machine.
Full details of its programme will be revealed in 2020. PSA motorsport director Jean-Marc Finot said: “I am very excited at the prospect of channelling the skills and passion of my team into this project. Peugeot will enter the new top category of the WEC for hypercars from the 2022-2023 season and will reveal more details on its programme in 2020.
“It is a new challenge and I know our experts will rise to it with another demonstration of their will to win with teams financed by the [PSA] Group’s brands, fuelled by their long experience of top-flight FIA championships and hunger for success.”
President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), Pierre Fillon, commented: “Today’s announcement is exciting for two reasons. It symbolises both the arrival of a new competitor in the Hypercar category which will come into being from the start of next season, as well as the return of a leading brand in Endurance racing.
“Peugeot has made history in terms of endurance racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning the event certainly, but also always producing spectacular machines, particularly appreciated by spectators. I can’t wait to see the French racing car that will take over from the winning 905 and 908.”
And finally, WEC CEO, Gerard Neveu, added: “What great news this is for everyone involved in endurance racing. Peugeot’s arrival in the new Hypercar category, alongside Aston Martin and Toyota, can only encourage more manufacturers to commit to the top level of endurance racing. We are so happy and honoured to welcome back a competitor and marque with such a great history of success as Peugeot has.”
Here’s the details of Aston Martin and Toyota’s entry in Hypercar WEC category