Ehrlacher and Vandoorne in the Peugeot 9X8 at the Rookie Test

Peugeot revealed this Friday the names of the four drivers who will sit in the two 9X8s during the Rookie Test in Sakhir, on November 13, the day after the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the final round of the 2022 season of the WEC. Stoffel Vandoorne, new arrival in the Stellantis Group via the DS Penske team in Formula E, a discipline of which he is the reigning world champion, will take his place in the No. 93 with the usual holder Mikkel Jensen. The two men will have the mission of stringing together the long relays.

Günther and Jakobsen also in the Peugeot 9X8

In the No. 94, we will find four beginners at the highest level of the prototype: the German Maximilian Günther, freshly announced at Maserati for the 2023 FE season, the Dane Malthe Jakobsen, European champion Le Mans Series in LM P3 with COOL Racing and Frenchman Yann Ehrlacher, twice crowned in WTCR. The three of them will take turns at the wheel of the No. 94 with the new Peugeot driver, the Swiss Nico Müller.

“Through the media I really appreciated the aggressiveness of the style of the 9X8, explains the Alsatian. The absence of a fin in particular which, like many I imagine, appeals to me. I sat on it to cast my tub and I am very impressed. Everything is designed for performance, down to the smallest detail. I can't wait to be able to ride in Bahrain. This new experience will be very enriching, I hope to participate as best I can, by giving good feedback to the engineers. You never know about the future? Let's do things in order already, but it's exciting for a French driver to drive in a French car. »

“I have already had the opportunity to evolve in Endurance, to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LM P1 or LM P2. With the Hypercar, many manufacturers are present, the championship will be very interesting, recalls Vandoorne. Peugeot has always produced striking machines. I remember the 908 which marked my debut in motorsport. Today, the 9X8 has already made a lot of noise due to its different concept. I discovered it during a session at the simulator and thus became familiar with the different systems. Even if there are similarities with Formula E, the driving will be different. I expect a great experience with this test. »

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