Ex-System 1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne is leaving Peugeot’s World Endurance Championship squad and can make his exit forward of the Bahrain 2025 finale in November.
The French producer has introduced that Vandoorne will depart after this month’s Fuji spherical to get replaced by 2023 System 2 champion Theo Pourchaire, who will transfer right into a full-time race seat subsequent season after fulfilling a take a look at and growth function this 12 months.
Vandoorne is out of contract after Fuji and Peugeot Sport technical director Olivier Jansonnie hinted eventually weekend’s Austin WEC spherical that there may very well be modifications to the line-up in one of many two 9X8 2024 Le Mans Hypercars at Bahrain “to construct for the long run”.
Peugeot has already introduced that Nick Cassidy will be part of its Hypercar roster for 2026, however there aren’t any plans for him to race this 12 months.
Pourchaire will slot straight into Vandoorne’s seat within the #94 entry alongside Loic Duval and Malthe Jakobsen for the Bahrain 8 Hours on 8 November.
Vandoorne, who joined Peugeot in a take a look at function in 2023 earlier than transferring as much as the race line-up the next season, has opted to not prolong his contract and appears sure to hitch WEC newcomer Genesis for subsequent 12 months.
#25 Algarve Professional Racing Oreca 07 – Gibson: Theo Pourchaire
Picture by: Nikolaz Godet
The South Korean marque has remained tight-lipped about further signings past Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani, who had been introduced on the launch of the programme late final 12 months and have dealt with preliminary testing of its GMR-001 Hypercar.
However in Austin, Genesis Magma Racing group principal Cyril Abiteboul stated that the marque’s line-up was “80% full”.
Peugeot Sport technical director Olivier Jansonnie thanked Vandoorne for his “professionalism, dedication, and all of the expertise he has shared with us over these two years”.
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Giving Pourchaire a race earlier than subsequent season “represents a logical step in his integration into the Hypercar programme”, added Jansonnie.
“After a powerful season in European Le Mans Sequence [driving an LMP2 ORECA-Gibson 07 for Algarve Pro] and regular progress, Theo has proven that he has the qualities required to carry out on the highest degree of endurance racing,” Jansonnie stated.
“He shortly tailored to the self-discipline, and his dedication for the reason that begin of the undertaking has been outstanding. Making his WEC debut in Bahrain naturally matches along with his journey alongside the group.”
Vandoorne will not be the one Peugeot driver prone to depart earlier than subsequent season. Danes Jakobsen and Mikkel Jensen are additionally believed to be out of contract on the conclusion of this 12 months and seem like within the body to hitch McLaren for its Hypercar entry in 2027 with the British United Autosports squad.
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