Peugeot: Bahrain Test Lineup Will “Enrich Our View” of 9X8

Bringing in new drivers to test the Peugeot 9X8 at the FIA World Endurance Championship post-season rookie test will “enrich” the manufacturer’s view of its LMH car, according to the head of Stellantis Motorsport.

Maserati Formula E signing Maximilian Guenther, two-time FIA World Touring Car Cup champion and Stellantis simulator driver Yann Ehrlacher, and European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion Malthe Jakobsen will sample the hybrid-powered car on Sunday.

Reigning ABB FIA Formula E world champion Stoffel Vandoorne, who has joined Stellantis brand DS in the electric single-seater series, was also due to take part until he was ruled out with appendicitis.

Stellantis motorsport director Jean-Marc Finot told reporters in Bahrain that Peugeot wanted to introduce a new set of drivers to bring a fresh perspective to the 9X8.

“We have some drivers from the Stellantis family, with Stoffel and Maximillian,” he said.

“Unfortunately, Stoffel will not be there because he got appendicitis.

“It’s an opportunity for these drivers to discover the car. Yann is a two-time world champion and he’s already one of our simulator drivers.

“We think also that Malthe Jakobsen would be a good bet as he’s quite fast in LMP3 so it will be interesting to test such a driver to cross information with fresh eyes, also with an eye of our current drivers.

“It will be to enrich our view of the car and a good opportunity for them. It’s a win-win.”

Finot suggested that selecting Formula E drivers such as Vandoorne and Guenther for the test would yielf valuable feedback on the Peugeot’s 200-kW electric motor.

“It was a lot our major reason to choose Stoffel, to see how he would give feedback on the car,” he said.

“For Maximillian, we’ll do the same but I think Malthe should be one of the youngest drivers on Sunday.”

It is unclear if Peugeot has a broader intention for the Bahrain test drivers, or whether they will complete more time behind the wheel of the 9X8 at private sessions.

Finot confirmed that the squad of six race drivers present in Bahrain – Paul Di Resta, Jean-Eric Vergne, Mikkel Jensen, Loic Duval, Gustavo Menezes and Nico Mueller – will stay on next season for Peugeot’s first full-length WEC campaign.

But the departure of James Rossiter to the role of Maserati Formula E team principal has opened the door for a new test and reserve driver in the Peugeot operation.

“We didn’t make our decision yet,” Finot said.

“We will organize. It’s clear that it’s a work in progress. Maybe six, maybe more than seven [in the total squad], it’s open. We will make our decision on our organization for next year.

“It could be [multiple reserve drivers]. Nothing is decided. We have to organize the way of managing the reserve.”

When asked if Formula E champion Vandoorne could be the reserve, Finot replied: “We didn’t think of it yet. Stoffel is also linked with Aston Martin.

“It’s a work in progress. We have to get more information.”

Jensen and Guenther will share the No. 93 Peugeot at the rookie test with Ehrlacher, Jakobsen and Mueller taking turns behind the wheel of the No. 94.