PEUGEOT centenary in the 24 Hours of Le Mans

WECHyperCar

Jun 5

PEUGEOT celebrates the centenary of its first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with two PEUGEOT 174S in the 1926 edition of the race. Team Peugeot TotalEnergies aims to build on the progress made at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, both in qualifying and race conditions.

100 YEARS OF COMMITMENT AND PASSION AT LE MANS

Since a century ago, PEUGEOT has taken on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1926, two PEUGEOT 174S took the start of the “24-hour Endurance Grand Prix”, marking the beginning of a historic relationship between the Lion brand and the world’s most prestigious endurance race. This first appearance marked the starting point of a long-lasting commitment to endurance racing.

Today, PEUGEOT has achieved 44 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as a works team or engine supplier. The brand has secured three major victories: in 1992 with first and third places on the podium, in 1993 with a historic 1-2-3 finish for the PEUGEOT 905, and in 2009 with a 1-2 result for the PEUGEOT 908 HDi FAP.

Since 2023, the PEUGEOT 9X8 has embodied this passion for the legendary event, a symbol of the brand’s history and commitment. For this occasion, PEUGEOT Design has created a special centenary badge, which will feature on both 9X8 cars.

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Le Mans 2025. Both Peugeot 9X8

OBJECTIVE: FIGHTING AT THE FRONT IN 2026

For its fourth consecutive participation since returning to endurance racing, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies approaches the 94th edition with determination and humility, fully aware of the exceptional demands of the Le Mans event and the intensity of competition in the Hypercar category.

Preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is part of a long-term development program initiated since the previous edition, combining in-depth analysis of the 2025 race, testing sessions, and lessons learned from the FIA WEC rounds at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.

A uniquely complex event, Le Mans requires complete mastery of all race parameters: traffic management, procedures, neutralization and track conditions, all areas on which the team has placed particular focus. The progress observed since the end of the 2025 season, confirmed at the start of this year in both qualifying and race pace, reflects a positive trajectory. In a highly competitive 18-car Hypercar field, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies aims to confirm this upward trend and establish itself consistently in the front of the field.

Nick Cassidy (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93) “I am really looking forward to taking part in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially driving a PEUGEOT during the brand’s centenary year. It is a dream to be on the grid of the greatest race in the world. As always, it will be unforgiving, but I am ready to take on the challenge.”

Paul Di Resta (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93) “This is the most important race of the year and a huge challenge for the entire Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, especially this year with PEUGEOT’s centenary at Le Mans. I am proud to be part of the sporting history of this brand. The competition will be very tough as the level is extremely high, but I believe we are better prepared than in previous years. We have worked well on the simulator, the car is reliable, and the team is ready to take on this challenge.”

Stoffel Vandoorne (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93) “Le Mans is a race I love, and everyone loves it! It is the race of the year. It is for the 24 Hours of Le Mans that manufacturers like PEUGEOT compete in endurance racing. Driving for a French brand at Le Mans, especially in this centenary year, is something truly special. I hope we can deliver a strong result for the partners and fans of the brand.”

Loïc Duval (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94) “It is a real privilege to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially during this golden era of endurance racing. It is the most beautiful race in the world, and also the most demanding as it is a human, technical and mechanical challenge. For me, it is also a home race as I come from Chartres, not far from Le Mans. Driving on the great 24-hour circuit delivers incredible sensations, and every year we look forward to it with great anticipation. I am very happy to share this edition with my two young teammates, and with PEUGEOT celebrating its centenary at Le Mans. It is a great nod to the brand’s heritage in this historic event.”

Malthe Jakobsen (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94) “I am looking forward to returning to Le Mans, and I feel better prepared this year for this unique race. We will need to stay focused on our own objectives, avoid mistakes and be ready for every scenario. Representing PEUGEOT in its centenary year is a great honor, and I hope to make the brand proud. For me, Le Mans is also closely linked to Denmark and Danish drivers such as Tom Kristensen, whom I would also like to make proud.”

Théo Pourchaire (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94) “I have a lot of personal memories here at Le Mans, as I lived here for four years when I was part of the FFSA Academy and even completed my high school exams here. This is my second participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, after competing in LMP2 in 2025, and my first in Hypercar. I still have a lot to learn, but I am very excited to be driving the PEUGEOT 9X8 on this iconic circuit. As a French driver racing at Le Mans in a French car, especially in the brand’s centenary year, it definitely adds pressure. I would love to achieve a strong result for PEUGEOT and for all the fans following us.” Source: Peugeot Sport

Schedule

Wednesday 10 June