The results of the Peugeot 9X8 this year did not meet the expectations of the Stellantis group. Before the last round of the WEC, Saturday in Bahrain, the French team only has one podium, a 3rd place obtained at Monza in July. With its original aero concept (no rear wing), the French Hypercar had difficulty competing with Toyota and Ferrari in particular.
But next season, the 9X8 will evolve profoundly, explained Jean-Marc Finot, director of Stellantis Motorsport, Thursday in the Bahrain paddock, starting by discussing the history of the design of the French Hypercar.
“We note that the BoP does not fully meet our expectations”
Jean-Marc Finot, director of Stellantis Motorsport
“We are committed to an LMH at the end of 2019,” he recalled. We started designing the car when the regulations at that time stipulated that the tires had to be 31/31 (four identical 31 cm tires) for a four-wheel drive LMH like ours. Knowing that the potential of a 29/34 fitment (29 cm at the front, 34 at the rear) was better, we asked the FIA at the end of 2020 if it was possible to fit them. The regulations were then amended, banning 29/34s for four-wheel drive hybrid LMHs. We therefore remained focused on our 31/31 project, optimizing it as best as possible with a perfect 50/50 balance between front and rear.
But, at the end of 2021, at the request of other manufacturers, the technical regulations were further modified, and LMHs could then choose option 29/34. But for us it was too late, the car was designed, and it started driving in December 2021. We were told that the BoP would make it possible to compensate for the disadvantage of the 31/31. But we find that it does not fully meet our expectations. So we decided to redesign the car. It’s a shame because it comes at a cost. In 2024, we are going to present a big development which will allow us to take advantage of the 29/34 tire. »
Does this imply the end of the concept without a rear wing? Jean-Marc Finot was evasive on this subject: “For the tires to work well, we need more weight at the rear. It is therefore necessary to move the car’s center of gravity back and increase the downforce generated at the rear. There are several ways to achieve this but for the moment we’ll leave it a mystery. » Regardless, the timing is tight for the French team to be able to present this 9X8 2.0 at the end of February at the Prologue in Qatar.
