Vandoorne Ruled Out of Bahrain Rookie Test With Illness

Stoffel Vandoorne has been sidelined from taking part in this weekend’s Bahrain Rookie Test with Peugeot due to appendicitis.

The Belgian driver had been selected as one of four drivers to pilot the Peugeot 9X8 at the tests, which take place the day after the FIA World Endurance Championship finale at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Vandoorne, along with touring car racer Yann Ehrlacher, Maximilian Guenther and European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion Malthe Jakobsen, was due to turn laps behind the wheel of Peugeot’s hybrid Le Mans Hypercar.

However, a statement released by the manufacturer on social media on Thursday confirms that the reigning ABB FIA Formula E world champion will not be taking part.

“Due to appendicitis, Stoffel Vandoorne will not participate in the FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test day at Bahrain, November 13th,” the team wrote. Team Peugeot TotalEnergies wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Peugeot indicated that a new driver could be brought in to complete the four-driver lineup, stating that ‘the new organisation of the line up will be revealed in the next days.’