Peugeot Set to Adjust Bahrain Lineup as Rossiter Takes FE Role

Peugeot is set to have an adjusted driver lineup for the final round of the FIA World Endurance Championship season in Bahrain, following James Rossiter’s appointment to the role of Maserati Formula E team principal.

The British driver has been a member of the No. 94 Peugeot crew in the manufacturer’s first two WEC Hypercar races, teaming up with Loic Duval and Gustavo Menezes at the 6 Hours of Monza and the 6 Hours of Fuji.

Rossiter, who previously worked as sporting director for the DS Techeetah Formula E team, was named head of the new Maserati MSG Racing squad on Friday morning.

The Maserati and Peugeot brands both come under the Stellantis automotive group.

“Moving forwards I want to finish my professional career as a driver, so I can put all of my energy into this [Maserati role] and I think it’s the right thing to do,” Rossiter said.

“I’ve obviously had the support of Stellantis and Peugeot to be able to take this opportunity.

“On that side, I think it’s the right thing to do. So I will not be continuing to race for Peugeot.”

Peugeot has not issued an update on its driver lineup for next month’s 8 Hours of Bahrain, after Rossiter was named on the provisional 37-car entry list.

A spokesperson for the factory team told Sportscar365 that it plans to reveal details of its Bahrain approach in the coming days.

Nico Mueller is the expected substitute, considering the Audi Sport factory driver recently signed with Peugeot to form part of its testing team and 2023 race lineup.

Sportscar365 understands that Mueller, who also drives for WEC LMP2 squad Vector Sport, turned his first laps in the Peugeot 9X8 during a test at Monza last week.

The French manufacturer has no limits on testing between races during its first year of competition and has used the gaps between its early WEC appearances to conduct more practice work on the homologated V6 twin-turbo, hybrid-powered prototype.

Rossiter was signed to the Peugeot LMH program as its development and reserve driver but was promoted to the race lineup for Monza and Fuji after Kevin Magnussen left the team earlier this year to pursue an unexpected return to Formula 1.

In Maserati’s latest Formula E announcement, Rossiter commented: “I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside Stellantis and I’m grateful to Peugeot for releasing me from my ongoing commitments to allow me to fully focus on my new role.”

The 2022-23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season is due to start in Mexico City on Jan. 14.

Sam Smith contributed to this report