Peugeot TotalEnergies has officially announced that they won’t be entering the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship 2022 at Sebring in March.
It’s been expected for quite some time, since both Loic Duval and Mikkel Jensen already has been named in other cars at the 12 hours race, which the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship runs on the same weekend – and they would probably not be allowed to do so, if Peugeot had a debut to make on the same weekend. There is a chance for Kevin Magnussen to race in the 12 hours race as well, but that has not been confirmed by the team yet.
The team is currently testing the new 9X8, where many systems have to work together. The testing is currently being done at the Spanish circuit of Aragon.
Photo: Peugeot Sport
They are also working on their design without a rear wing, which the computer models have said, is the best solution for the car. But we won’t know that for sure, when the car has been through an extensive test programme.
The press release from today mentions nothing about the actual date of a race debut, but the FIA WEC has made it clear, that the team has to run at least one race prior to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for Peugeot to be allowed in for the 2022 edition. But it’s not even sure, if the team will do that race this year. The original plan was to be ready for the 2022/23 season, with the schedule that FIA WEC used for the 2019/20 season, with the season starting late August/early September. But that system has been scrapped by the FIA WEC, so the schedule is a traditional March to November.
The FIA WEC 2022 starts at Sebring in Florida on 18 March, while the 6 hours race at Spa Francorchamps will run on 7 May.
