Team Peugeot TotalEnergies may have left Spa-Francorchamps with a sense of what might have been, but their performance in the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Spa was anything but forgettable. With both PEUGEOT 9X8s qualifying in the top 10 and mounting fierce challenges for podium contention during the race, the lion-branded marque has every reason to approach the 24 Hours of Le Mans with confidence and determination.
Qualifying Pace and Tactical Brilliance
The weekend began with a flash of optimism as both the #93 (Paul Di Resta/Jean-Eric Vergne/Mikkel Jensen) and the #94 (Loïc Duval/Malthe Jakobsen/Stoffel Vandoorne) PEUGEOT 9X8s delivered strong qualifying performances, securing top-10 starts. From the green flag, both cars demonstrated their raw pace and competitive intent, immediately battling for positions in the top five.
An early highlight unfolded during the opening hour when Di Resta and Duval engaged in a thrilling intra-team duel through traffic. The on-track chess match saw the two PEUGEOTs swapping positions in a display of confident driving and mutual respect, setting the tone for what looked set to be a rewarding race.
Team strategists from TotalEnergies seized the first Virtual Safety Car period to execute divergent pit strategies. The #93 took on two fresh medium tyres while the #94 opted for a full set. The move paid dividends almost immediately as Di Resta and Duval launched bold attacks under braking at Les Combes and danced through the iconic Raidillon, climbing into third and fourth overall.
Mid-Race Momentum and a Turning Point
After two and a half hours of racing, the baton was passed to Jean-Eric Vergne and Malthe Jakobsen. At the halfway point, a Safety Car presented a strategic window. The #94 capitalised and pitted, while the #93 remained out, briefly leading the field for ten laps. But timing wasn’t on Peugeot’s side. While Vergne and Mikkel Jensen pushed hard to keep the #93 in contention, the car eventually slipped to 11th place, narrowly missing the top 10.
Then came the heartbreak.
While defending a strong fifth position, Jakobsen in the #94 came under pressure from the #20 BMW. The slightest of contacts in Turn 5 led to a broken rear suspension component. Jakobsen was able to limp back to the pits, but the damage was terminal. The retirement was especially painful given the car’s pace and potential. Stoffel Vandoorne, making his home race debut with Peugeot, was left without the opportunity to drive.
Reflections and Resolve Ahead of Le Mans
Despite the disappointment, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies exits Spa with several positives. Both 9X8s demonstrated clear performance gains, challenging consistently among the front-runners and showing competitive reliability in qualifying and early race stints.
“It’s a very disappointing result, as we had the pace to do much better,” said Olivier Jansonnie, Technical Director of Peugeot Sport. “We split the strategies to cover all scenarios, but luck didn’t swing our way. The #94 was well placed before the incident, while the #93 missed the Safety Car window. Still, our pace was strong—something we’ll look to convert at Le Mans.”
Drivers echoed the sentiment. “It was great to be fighting with the leaders,” said Paul Di Resta, whose double stint gained key positions. “With our tyre strategy, I think we made the right calls.” Loïc Duval added, “It felt good to be battling at the front. We had the speed. It’s just a shame about the penalty and how things played out.”
Jakobsen, visibly frustrated after the race, summed it up best: “I’m really sorry for the team, who deserved a podium this weekend.”
Eyes on Le Mans
While Spa didn’t deliver the podium the team hoped for, the race served as a crucial testing ground for Peugeot’s preparations ahead of the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14–15. The performance of the 9X8s—sharp, aggressive, and brimming with potential—signals a renewed threat from the French outfit as endurance racing’s crown jewel approaches.
One thing is clear: Peugeot isn’t just coming to Le Mans to participate. They’re coming to compete. And after Spa, they have every reason to believe they can.
