24h Le Mans
Peugeot has learned a LOT after this mixed bag 2025 season. The 9X8 is improving, the team is restructuring and the goal is crystal clear: to place the French carmaker firmly at the top of the FIA WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans next year.
Though this season's results failed to meet the Peugot TotalEnergies team's expectations, things are looking up. The French constructeur is gearing up for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) by pushing the 9X8 to become a real contender in 2026.
After positive performances at the end of the 2024 season, including a podium at the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain, Peugeot headed into 2025 looking to convert the momentum into more concrete results. Former Stellantis Motorsport Senior Vice-President Jean-Marc Finot: Now, we need to find a little more performance. The marque had already approved the use of a suspension-focused Joker as early as the Qatar 1812 km, a crucial decision toward improving the competitiveness of the 9X8.
For its 2025 campaign, Peugeot fielded two 9X8s: the #93 entrusted to Paul di Resta, Mikkel Jensen and Jean-Éric Vergne, and the #94 to Loïc Duval, Malthe Jakobsen and Stoffel Vandoorne. The off-season was productive thanks to two testing sessions and efforts to improve reliability.
Peugeot seemed on an upward trajectory arriving at the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans. The preparation was solid and the dynamic positive with a renewed sense of confidence. Everything pointed to a successful outcome, but the race had other plans. Peugeot TotalEnergies opted for a two-pronged strategy: take advantage of in-race opportunities and maximise stints, even doing triple stints on the same set of tyres. With 13 laps per stint (one more than the competition), the objective was to gain a pit stop over the course of the race, though it meant sacrificing a few tenths of a second per lap. It was a gutsy plan that was working right up until circumstance jeopardised everything.
On the heels of a long stretch in the top 10, the #94 was undermined by a spin-out after contact with another car. Despite the determination of Duval, Jakobsen and Vandoorne, it finished 12th, trailing the winning Ferrari by three laps. The #93 saw its race upended in the first hours. leaving the track to avoid an out of control GT3 in the Porsche Corners, then undergoing repairs to both the front and rear of the car, followed by a steering problem later in the evening. The setbacks cost the #93 about 10 minutes. Yet, di Resta, Jensen, and Vergne persevered and went on to secure a well-deserved 17th place finish.
Former Peugeot Sport Technical Director Olivier Jansonnie: Peugeot TotalEnergies turned in an impressive performance, with very few mistakes unlike some of our competitors who were frequently penalised. To achieve a respectable result here, we needed to be flawless. The engineers, mechanics and drivers came close to perfection. Bravo to everyone. The most important thing is to maintain this level of commitment; it will pay off in the end.
After the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Peugeot righted the ship with third place for the #94 at Lone Star Le Mans in Austin and second place for the #93 at the 6 Hours of Fuji, the best result in the 9X8's history. The French marque ended the season in seventh place in the FIA Endurance Hypercar Constructors Championship just ahead of Aston Martin. Finot: The potential is definitely there, and we can’t wait to show it in 2026.
The 2026 season could be a real turning point for the team. The retirement of Jean-Marc Finot has kicked off a new era. On 31 January, Jansonnie will take his place at the helm of Stellantis Motorsport. The appointment was a logical choice given his intimate knowledge of the DNA and potential of the 9X8 programme.
Two driver changes are shaping preparations for next year. After a year serving as a reserve driver, Théo Pourchaire has been given a seat in the #94 alongside Duval and Jakobsen, and 2023-2024 Formula E runner-up Nick Cassidy will add to the French squad's pure speed.
With this internal restructuring and strengthened line-up, Peugeot clearly aims to rise to a new level by clinching its first win in the FIA WEC, like Alpine and Cadillac did in 2025, and add a fourth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to its track record after those secured in 1992, 1993 and 2009. Will 2026 finally be the year of the Lion?
