Classified 18th and 19th in Qualifying, the two PEUGEOT 9X8s miss out on the 24 Hours of Le Mans Hyperpole sessions
Team Peugeot TotalEnergies remains motivated and focused on the race, which will start on Saturday, June 14 at 4:00 PM in front of more than 300,000 spectators
After three consecutive Hyperpole qualifications since the start of the FIA WEC season, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies was unable to make it four in a row today at the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit.
Despite a strong improvement since Free Practice, Stoffel Vandoorne (#94) and Jean-Eric Vergne (#93) could do no better than 18th and 19th with lap times of 3:25.240 and 3:25.494. Pushing to the maximum during the 30-minute session, both drivers had a lap deleted for track limits, and a puncture also forced Jean-Eric Vergne to make a pit stop.
Team Peugeot TotalEnergies will now focus on the race. Two more Free Practice sessions and a Warm-up remain to prepare the two PEUGEOT 9X8s for the worldâs greatest endurance race.
The entire team is motivated and united, as demonstrated during the Pit Stop Challengeâone of the highlights and must-see moments of Le Mans week.
Le Mans is a very long race that always brings surprisesâweather can shake things up, and more. The team will need to be opportunistic and deliver a flawless race to aim for a strong result.
Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP of Stellantis Motorsport
âWhile we were in the game at Spa, it’s frustrating and disappointing not to make it into the Hyperpole. Given the specific regulations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we didnât expect to break the 3-minute 26-second barrier in Qualifying â and we did! The Team Peugeot TotalEnergies did an excellent job, and the drivers gave their all on track. Even if weâre lacking a bit of pace, Le Mans is also about strategy, race incidents management, and seizing opportunities. Weâll do everything we can to be in the game, and weâll fight to deliver the best race possible. Everyone remains motivated and focused, also thanks to all the support weâre receiving
Stoffel Vandoorne (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
âIn terms of performance, itâs going to be tough. The WEC/Le Mans regulations are a bit different, and weâre struggling a bit more here this week. So, weâll focus on the raceâthatâs what really matters. Things are bound to happen, especially if the weather conditions are unstable.â
Malthe Jakobsen (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
âA frustrating day with FP1 and Qualifying. Of course, we were hoping to get both cars into HYPERCAR, but the results are in line with our expectations. Weâll keep a cool head and stay focused on the upcoming practice sessions and the race. The team stands united, determined to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way.â
