The 1812 km of Qatar, held at the Losail International Circuit, marked the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Team Peugeot TotalEnergies entered the competition with high hopes, aiming to build upon their previous performances. However, the race unfolded with challenges that tested the team’s resilience and strategy, leaving both fans and the team with more questions than answers.
Qualifying Performance: A Glimpse of Hope
In the lead-up to the race, the Peugeot 9X8 #93, driven by Jean-Eric Vergne, managed to secure a spot in the Hyperpole by clocking a lap time of 1:39.674, placing it 10th on the starting grid. This achievement was seen as a positive step for the team, especially after a challenging season last year. Vergne expressed a mix of satisfaction and caution, stating, “My goal was to make it into Hyperpole, and that’s done. I think I’ve extracted the maximum from the car during this session.”
Meanwhile, the Peugeot 9X8 #94, piloted by Stoffel Vandoorne, faced a different set of challenges. An overnight chassis rebuild added to the pressure, yet Vandoorne managed to qualify 12th. The team’s mechanics and engineers worked tirelessly to prepare the car, demonstrating impressive technical prowess and determination. This effort was crucial in maintaining the team’s morale ahead of the main event.
Race Day Challenges: A Test of Resilience
Race day brought a mix of hope and unexpected hurdles for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies. The Peugeot 9X8 #93, driven by the trio of Jean-Eric Vergne, Mikkel Jensen, and Paul Di Resta, faced a chaotic start. An early drive-through penalty for failing to follow procedures under Full Course Yellow conditions resulted in a loss of approximately 30 seconds. This setback was significant, given the competitive nature of the Hypercar category.
Despite the penalty, the #93 car fought back valiantly. Strategic pit stops and well-timed responses to safety car deployments helped the team regain their position on the lead lap. Mikkel Jensen, in particular, showcased impressive pace during his stint, recording a fastest lap of 1:42.646 on the 134th lap. His performance highlighted the car’s potential, even if the overall race pace was not quite as expected.
The Peugeot 9X8 #94, on the other hand, had a rougher journey. An incident on the first lap led to contact that affected the car’s aerodynamics and handling. The drivers—Loïc Duval, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Malthe Jakobsen—had to adapt quickly. Despite the compromised performance, Jakobsen, making his race debut with the team, managed to complete a commendable double night stint of 64 laps. His performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging race for the #94 team.
However, a late-race drive-through penalty following an intense on-track battle with the Porsche #5 further dashed their hopes of a top-ten finish. The #94 car eventually crossed the line in 12th place, a result that was met with a mix of frustration and resolve to improve.
Technical Insights and Team Reflections
Olivier Jansonnie, Technical Director of Peugeot Sport, provided a candid assessment of the race. He explained that the Losail circuit’s unique characteristics, particularly its limited tire degradation, posed challenges in optimizing tire strategies. The track’s rapidly evolving conditions between day and night required constant adjustments to tire choices and setups. Jansonnie highlighted the need for better adaptability, saying, “We had to find the right tire combinations depending on the conditions, while trying to outmaneuver the competitors within our reach.”
Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP of Stellantis Motorsport, echoed these sentiments. He acknowledged the team’s efforts but admitted that the race pace was not at the level they had anticipated. “We extracted the maximum from the package we had during the race and took advantage of all opportunities and Safety Cars to reposition ourselves in the standings. I am very proud of the work of the entire team this week. Now, we need to find a bit more pace to more regularly compete for the top spots,” he stated.
Driver Perspectives: Lessons Learned
Mikkel Jensen of the #93 car emphasized the impact of changing track conditions on the race strategy. He noted, “Between day and night, temperatures dropped, and the track evolved a lot. It was hard to know whether to use hard or medium tires at that point. We chose to run hard on the left and medium on the right. We weren’t the fastest on track, but we stuck with it to stay in the top 10 and on the lead lap.”
Malthe Jakobsen, reflecting on his debut stint with the team, described the challenge of managing tire compounds and warming them up on a cold track during restarts. “I really didn’t want to make any mistakes, and at the same time, I wanted to stay in the top 10. It was really fun!” he said. His positive attitude and willingness to learn quickly suggest that he could be a valuable asset for the team as the season progresses.
Strategic Gaps and Future Focus
One of the key areas of concern for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies was the lack of race pace relative to their competitors. The early penalties and incidents highlighted weaknesses in both the car’s performance and race strategy. Improving pit stop efficiency, minimizing penalties, and enhancing tire strategy will be crucial as the team prepares for the next round of the championship.
Additionally, the team’s ability to adapt to rapidly changing track conditions was a noticeable gap. Fine-tuning the aerodynamics and powertrain to suit different circuits could help in bridging this gap. The technical team is expected to conduct an in-depth analysis of the data collected in Qatar to identify areas for improvement.
Looking Ahead: Building on Lessons Learned
Despite the challenges faced in Qatar, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies remains optimistic. The team plans to participate in a development session at the Losail circuit before shifting focus to the next WEC race, the 6 Hours of Imola, scheduled for April 20. The lessons learned from Qatar are expected to inform strategies and technical adjustments aimed at enhancing performance in the upcoming races.
Consistency and reliability will be key focus areas for the team as they aim to secure stronger results in the remaining rounds of the championship. The drivers’ feedback and data collected during the race will play a significant role in shaping these strategies. The goal is clear: to find the additional race pace needed to compete consistently at the front of the Hypercar category.
Conclusion
The 1812 km of Qatar served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of endurance racing. For Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, the event highlighted areas for improvement while also showcasing the team’s resilience and commitment. As the season progresses, the team will need to translate these lessons into tangible performance gains if they are to challenge for podiums and victories.
The road ahead is challenging, but with a focused approach to solving the identified issues, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies can still turn their season around. For now, the key takeaway from Qatar is clear: the race pace was not what they expected, but the determination to improve remains stronger than ever.
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