Peugeot hoping late-season success marks ‘a step towards more consistent results’
After converting a back-of-the-grid starting slot into a top three finish in Bahrain earlier this month, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies hopes the result will prove to be a springboard to more regular success in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2025.
The French outfit has endured a tough season in the headlining Hypercar category, but the final two rounds offered a chink of light. Having taken the chequered flag barely three-and-a-half seconds shy of the rostrum at Fuji, the #93 9X8 crew then improved upon that to place third in Bahrain following a post-race penalty handed out to the #51 Ferrari for failing to comply with tyre quotas.
Peugeot was on the pace at Bahrain International Circuit from the outset, with Paul di Resta topping the timesheets behind the wheel of the #94 prototype in FP1 and Jean-Éric Vergne repeating the feat in the sister entry in FP3.
Qualifying failed to live up to expectations, leaving the two cars down in 15th and 18th on the Hypercar grid for the eight-hour race – the #93 losing all of its times due to a technical infringement – but courtesy of a gritty effort inside the cockpit and a shrewd strategy in the pits, they gradually worked their way up the order.
Impressive double stints from Stoffel Vandoorne and Mikkel Jensen in the blazing heat of Sakhir – as track temperatures approached 45°C – saw the drivers manage tyre degradation perfectly over long runs on the highly abrasive circuit, enabling their team-mates to take advantage of fresh rubber in the closing stages. And just like in the previous outing in Japan, those tactics paid off handsomely.
“It was a hard race but we secured a superb result in the end,” acknowledged Nico Müller, part of the third-placed #93 crew. “We started at the back of the grid because our qualifying times were cancelled, but we managed to produce a stunning comeback!
“The various tyre strategies of our rivals were a bit difficult to analyse, but our approach worked really well. Finishing third is absolutely incredible, although it’s a bit sad that we weren’t able to celebrate on the podium with all the emotions that would have meant for the team. The guys worked so hard to get here and I’m so pleased. I think every team member deserves this trophy.”
While the #94 car was forced out of contention by a high voltage issue with just under two hours remaining, the points picked up by the #93 for the team’s best result since Monza 16 months earlier were sufficient to earn Peugeot sixth in the final Manufacturers’ standings. The Satory-based squad is now aiming to carry its positive recent momentum into the 2025 FIA WEC campaign, which will get underway on 28 February with a ten-hour contest in Qatar.
“Although it was due to a decision by the stewards, finishing the season with a third place is a significant accomplishment in this particularly competitive championship,” reflected Stellantis Motorsport Senior Vice-President, Jean-Marc Finot. “It was just unfortunate that the timing didn’t allow Team Peugeot TotalEnergies to experience the joy of the podium ceremony.
“The season began under challenging conditions with a car that took time to find its rhythm, but the team never gave up, and we are pleased to end it with a positive result that marks continuous progress. However, this should only be a step towards more consistent results in the top positions.”
