Rossiter on “Incredibly Creative” Peugeot 9X8 Project

Peugeot’s keenly anticipated WEC debut with the stunning looking 9X8 is almost upon us. So, we thought we would speak to one of the lynchpins of the project, James Rossiter, who will share the No.94 Peugeot 9X8 with Loic Duval and Gustavo Menezes.

On the eve of one of the project's biggest milestones, Rossiter looks ahead to Monza and talks about his expectations and his teammates as Peugeot returns to global endurance racing with the FIA WEC.

JR on his aim and ambition for the project……

“Obviously our first event as a team together with the first race of the car, so there's so many variables that we're just unsure of going into that weekend.

“But at the same time, we want to be competitive, we want to show our performance and at the end of the day, we want to go and fight Toyota for the victory. Balancing it all is going to be an interesting one, but I'm definitely going there with full of enthusiasm to go and take as much as we can.”

JR on the technical and sporting journey of the so far….

“I've been part of the project for just over a year and a half and it's been an amazing technical challenge with having the MGU the front of the car and how to make that work, how to get the performance is something that's new for me.

“And just being involved in the whole project, from day one has been a beautiful experience, really, to be there.

“From the first time we did a sim session and came up with the theories of the car, obviously, with the rules with the FIA and WEC that have been put in place, in terms of the efficiency of the car, it kind of limits what you can do, but it also enabled us to be incredibly creative with the 9X8 and to create this unique looking car with no rear wing and to exploit some other potential areas.”

JR on Peugeot’s endurance heritage…..

“You know, what Peugeot have achieved in the past and what we hope to achieve in the future is to get back to where we were. And for me on a personal note, having seen those cars like the 908 Evo as a kid, one day I would love to also have the opportunity to drive one. But for now, I'll be very happy to race the 9X8.”

JR on his racing experience and how it can help with the 9X8….

“Having had a long and diverse career certainly has helped in terms of putting it all together for this car, this unique car.

“The experience from Japan having raced Super GT where the weight of the car is the same, or very similar to what the Hypercar is, certainly helped me a little bit in terms of when I jumped straight in the car and started driving it.

“The vehicle dynamics team that we have here are really great, and just being able to work with them from the ground up has been a really nice process and it's very impressive, certainly what I've seen so far.”

JR on his teammates in the No.94 Peugeot 9X8…..

“It's great to work with both of them. I've known Loic (Duval) for 19 years, it's been a long time, and he's achieved some incredible things in his career, so it's great to work together with him. To put all of our experience into one car is amazing.

“Then Gustavo, he's super, super fast. This is amazing to see how quick he is, and very motivational for all the team, and he brings a lot of energy to the table, which we're very grateful for.