The latest version of the Peugeot 9X8 is destined for high places: Team Peugeot TotalEnergies is ready to pounce on the competition at the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans. “I think we’ve done all we can to be in good shape, ready to fight for the win. Mechanics, drivers, and engineers have worked hard to attain the goal. I’m pretty confident,” says Jean-Eric Vergne, driver of the #93 Peugeot 9X8. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the third race for the car which began its career at the 6 Hours of Imola last April. At the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the #93 came tenth overall, a lap behind the winning Porsche 963.

Being wingless, the previous version of the 9X8 made waves simply because engineers tend not to take that option these days. However, the choice proved a sound one: Porsche Penske Motorsport finished fifth in the Hypercar Manufacturers FIA World Endurance Championship behind Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche and Cadillac. Work began on the new version in late March 2023.

Back to the drawing board

Peugeot decided to revert to a design more similar to that of their rivals. In short, add a wing and adopt a more effective tyre set-up with different widths at the front (29cm) and rear (34cm). But the Peugeot designers didn’t stop there. They changed 90% of the bodywork! “We have more stability and grip coming away from corners,” says #94 driver Loïc Duval. “In technical terms, the car’s aerodynamics were based on the flat underbody. Now they rely on the rear wing. The car is better balanced and we are on a level playing field with the other Hypercars. It’s more stable on the quick corners and we’ve gained speed on the straights. So we’re even stronger,” says Vergne.

Thanks to the upgrades, Peugeot TotalEnergies is on course to challenge for victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its last Le Mans win was in 2009. “We’ll have a better idea of where we are performance-wise after Test Day, and we’ll adapt our approach accordingly,” says Olivier Jansonnie, Peugeot Sport Technical Director. Mikkel Jensen (#93) hammers home the message:“We’re here to feature among the frontrunners. We’re out to win.”

Last year, Peugeot TotalEnergies took Le Mans by surprise and led the early stages of the race. One of the 9X8s was in the top four until the midway point when Gustavo Menezes went off in the Daytona Chicane. “At Le Mans, you learn to expect the unexpected. This year, we’re going to try our luck,” says #93 driver Nico Müller.

How will the team fare against such stiff opposition? Stoffel Vandoorne: “It’ll be flat out, because there’s not much to choose between us. Sustaining the pace, driving mistake free and a bit of luck will clinch the difference. We’ll have to do a perfect job. If we’re in a position to do so, it’ll be worth taking a few risks.”

The battle of the constructors is on. May the best team win. Race starts at 16:00 ECT on Saturday 15 June. Battle is the theme of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Show from 23:30 on Saturday night on the infield. Trackside spectators will be treated to an immersive light and sound show by French musical duo Synapson, combining fireworks, drones and video.