Stoffel Vandoorne gets behind the wheel at Team Peugeot TotalEnergie

September 22, 2023

Peugeot 9X8

Team Peugeot TotalEnergies plans to fight for wins in the hotly contested Hypercar class next season. The team has recruited Stoffel Vandoorne to take on this challenge. The Belgian is currently a reserve driver for Peugeot Sport, but has now been officially named a driver for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies for the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) season. The 31-year-old Belgian driver will then take his place behind the wheel of a Peugeot 9X8.

A baking experience

The 2022 FIA Formula E world champion made his debut in Endurance racing in 2019. He did so in the LMP1 class with SMP Racing. In 2021, he competed with JOTA in the LMP2 class. Stoffel Vandoorne – also driver for DS Penske (Formula E), which is part of the Stellantis Motorsport group that also includes Team Peugeot – already knows his future teammates and the technical staff well thanks to previous track tests and simulator sessions with the team. The Peugeot 9X8 with which he will compete in the FIA WEC in a few months’ time is also no stranger to him. Last weekend Vandoorne already drove the car in the 6 Hours of Fuji, where he filled in for the injured Nico Müller.

Debut

Vandoorne will make his debut as the team’s driver at the first FIA WEC race of the upcoming season; it will take place on March 2, 2024 in Qatar. This will be followed by the other seven rounds of the season, culminating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15-16, 2024.

Stoffel Vandoorne: “I am really happy that I am now officially a driver for the 2024 season. I always love the FIA WEC and already know it from my participations in 2019 and 2021. My goal was to return to the championship. That ambition is even greater now that it is possible in the Hypercar class, in which so many car manufacturers participate. It is fantastic to have the opportunity to compete for the win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is a dream for many drivers. I’m happy to be part of this team and can’t wait to make a start with Peugeot.”