Peugeot Is Considering A Sensational Return To Le Mans Racing

Just five years after leaving the sport due to budget constraints, Peugeot is close to a return to the top class of endurance racing - but it wants new rules to cut costs before it commits

Peugeot is eyeing a sensational return to prototype endurance racing – but only if the organisers agree to cut the costs of competing.

Fresh from buying Opel and Vauxhall, the French brand has told Autocar that the possibility of their return to the World Endurance Championship depends on three conditions: profitability, winning the Dakar Rally and an LMP1 cost cap of €200 million per year, and only the last obstacle remains.

The French firm has Le Mans pedigree, taking the overall win at La Sarthe in 2009 with its 908 HDi FAP diesel LMP1 machine. But financial troubles led to a shock withdrawal from the sport in early 2012.

Peugeot Is Considering A Sensational Return To Le Mans Racing

Ultimately, Porsche joined Audi and Toyota in 2014 to create some of the best sports car racing we’ve seen in recent times before Audi’s sad departure last year; its diesel-fuelled motorsport programme a casualty of dieselgate.

With the drop to two major factory-backed LMP1 teams seen as a big problem by race organisers, it’s in everyone’s interests to get Peugeot back on board. Senior FIA and WEC figures are now understood to be looking at potential rules changes that could bring costs down without harming the levels of innovation that have made the WEC an increasingly popular sport.

Autocar quotes Peugeot CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato as saying:

“We have always said we will return if three conditions are met: firstly, we as a company are making money; secondly, we have won the Dakar Rally, and thirdly, the cost of competition cannot be over €200 million per year.

“The first two conditions are met; the third is not. We are studying a return, but the regulations must be easier on the budget.”

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Comments

Tito_Not_Richard

Cut down the cost? Do they want to cut down the 4th wheel and drive on 3?

03/20/2017 - 12:54 |
98 | 2

That would make for an interesting race though.

03/20/2017 - 12:56 |
18 | 0

They’ll still have €200 millions to play with

03/20/2017 - 14:31 |
4 | 0

That’s what nissan practically nearly did.

03/20/2017 - 16:31 |
62 | 0

😂 good job

03/21/2017 - 10:30 |
2 | 0
FLixy Madfox

And I’m just here totally not still crying over Audi leaving WEC

03/20/2017 - 13:04 |
40 | 6
ah00t13

The issue is that if the technology was reduced to allow Peugeot to enter, Toyota would leave. They have said that if the series takes a step backwards in technology they won’t continue

03/20/2017 - 13:05 |
6 | 2
Matt Kimberley

In reply to by ah00t13

Greater standardisation of parts between cars, maybe? It’s all speculation at this stage.

03/20/2017 - 13:07 |
4 | 2
Mason Smith 🇺🇸(Mustang Life)(Crowd Killer)

Come on peugot, grab my hand son!

03/20/2017 - 13:05 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

(null)

03/20/2017 - 13:09 |
6 | 2
Anonymous

What, they gonna enter as opel and in the end reveal its peugeot?

03/20/2017 - 13:46 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Brilliant!
Peugeot hire this man stat!

03/21/2017 - 09:21 |
0 | 0
TheMindGarage

Need to cut costs? Why not make it out of recycled paper!

03/20/2017 - 16:58 |
12 | 0

Or make it like this crap.

03/21/2017 - 05:01 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

03/20/2017 - 17:34 |
0 | 2
Joel Lundin

Hope some race grade specs will trickle down to their road cars and take Peugeot back to its glory days

03/20/2017 - 18:06 |
2 | 0
Joshua Persaud (Wagon/Estate Squad) (Sleeper Squad) I need a

They are sponsered by Playstation. So why don’t Le Mans turn into Forza Motorsport 7 to reduce budget costs. Talk about weight reduction bro.

03/20/2017 - 21:37 |
0 | 0

Why would they go with FM7 if they’re sponsored by Playstation??

03/22/2017 - 23:18 |
0 | 0