Vergne Explains Decision to Step Back from Peugeot WEC Drive

Photo: Julien Delfosse/DPPI

Peugeot driver Jean-Eric Vergne has explained his decision to step back from a race seat in the FIA World Endurance Championship next season will allow him to focus on development of sister brand Citroen’s new Gen4 FIA Formula E challenger.

Vergne had been a mainstay of Peugeot’s WEC lineup ever since the manufacturer joined the championship in 2022 and revealed that personal reasons are another factor in him reducing a congested campaign across both series.

Instead Vergne will focus on Citroen’s entry to FE and also conduct development work on Peugeot’s WEC machine before returning to a race seat in 2027.

“It was in coordination with Peugeot, with Citroen, with everybody at Stellantis – it was actually coming from me,” said Vergne.

“Only time will tell but I think it’s the right decision so I can fully focus on the first year of Citroen in Formula E, focus on the development of Gen4 together with Citroen.”

The two-time FE champion described competing in both championships as very “demanding.”

“I feel that, with the first year of Citroen, where we have a lot of work within the team to be up to speed very rapidly, plus the development of the Gen4, plus the WEC championship, plus all the testing that goes with it, plus all the development for the future of Peugeot, plus personal reasons, I felt that I couldn’t do it all next year,” he added.

“That’s why it was my decision to step down for a year, but at least do all the other things well and then things settle, and I can come back in 2027 fully operational on both sides.”

Peugeot Sport technical director Olivier Jansonnie said Vergne would fill-in for any of Peugeot’s WEC drivers next year should they be unable to contest an event.

Vergne’s place in Peugeot’s roster is instead being taken by current driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who had looked set for a move elsewhere.

“We had a seat available and, considering Stoffel’s situation, it made complete sense to have somebody who has demonstrated his performance with us, who knows the team already, so it made complete sense from both sides, hence the decision,” said Jansonnie.