Jean-Marc Finot: “Peugeot Sport takes over total project management of the WEC program”

Rebellion Racing was very excited to partner with Peugeot Sport by 2022, making the dream of every private team come true. But this Thursday, February 13, 2020, the Swiss entity decided to withdraw. When were you made aware?

Our partnership was sealed at the beginning of December, so the information is quite fresh. I admit we didn't plan it.

Were the contracts completed?

We were in negotiations for a contract lasting 5 years, namely two years of development and three years of operation. The arrival of Rebellion, from an operational point of view, was planned for 2022 when we would have entered the operating period.

The contract being sporting but also financial, did this jeopardize the program?

We quickly managed to put together a business plan with a budget flow unchanged compared to what was planned, with a commitment from the Peugeot brand and our historic partnership with our partner Total.

Should we understand that Peugeot and Total are investing more in the project?

On the brand side, the support is strong. Total, for its part, has historically always been a valuable support for our sporting activities. The story continues.

Therefore, can we say that the withdrawal of Rebellion does not harm you?

This was unexpected, but we record the information. We continue to move forward with a tighter system. Peugeot Sport takes over total project management of the program, knowing that the operation and the athlete were supposed to be under Rebellion project management.

So you will do it in-house and not outsource it to another outside company?

There are skill packages that we can outsource, but always under our project management. For example, we have contracted Ligier which will carry out the aerodynamic development of our car.

Chassis and aero?

Aero.

Have you put out a tender for the chassis?

That's one of the possibilities. We will make our choices, namely an internal or external realization, according to the best efficiency for the performance of the car.

Aerospace has been entrusted to Ligier, should we understand that you will not work with Oreca, even for racing operations?

There is no strategy or preconceptions. Our choices are made with the aim of having the best competitiveness, we will therefore choose our suppliers and our partners based on this.

Will the withdrawal of Rebellion force you to recruit more?

In terms of sizing, there will inevitably be growth. An addition of staff under Rebellion project management was planned. There will therefore be an equivalent contribution of staff under our project management. Whether this will involve internal recruitment or contractualization of skills packages remains to be defined.

When announcing your return, you said you were not opposed to a possible LMDh platform, the name of which we did not yet know at the time. Is this still an option?

We continue to develop the car within the framework of the regulations Le Mans Hypercar. On the other hand, we remain open to the LMDh opportunity and closely follow the working groups working on regulatory convergence (IMSA-WEC. Editor’s note). There are some essential points to take into account. In particular, there must be a completely equitable Balance of Performance between LMDh and Mans Hypercar. The chances of victory must be the same. And marketing performance must be assured for both formulas. This is what will motivate our choice.

So you don't rule out changing your mind and doing an LMDh when the technical regulations are known, after Sebring?

It remains possible. We will study the question and it is on this horizon that we will make our decision. Until then, the team is working hard on the Le Mans Hypercar.

Ferrari is reluctant to take a chassis that is not his design. If aerodynamics is entrusted to Ligier, should we understand that this will not be a problem for you?

No, this would not be a particular concern for us. What is important is that we can have control of the project, the management of the powertrain and that we see that the car is a Peugeot. Afterwards, even today, many components are purchased from equipment manufacturers or suppliers. This is the fate of the entire automobile industry. This is not a sticking point. In any case, not having this type of vehicle (Hypercar. Ed.) in the Peugeot range, it will be a specific prototype.

Does having a common hybrid system conversely bother you?

Powertrain management, which is considered essential, is a particular skill that is more important than component development, which is often entrusted to equipment manufacturers.

Is this IMSA-WEC convergence a good thing?

For a manufacturer, it’s always interesting to have a choice. Le Mans Hypercar is a good formula. If the LMDh formula is also interesting, we could adopt it. We look forward to having more possible opportunities.

This would allow you to be present in the United States…

It is not a criterion which will mean that we will go with one formula rather than another.

Is the goal still to be ready by early 2022?

Our goal is to race in 2022. But the car will be frozen for 5 years after its homologation, so our priority is to have a perfectly dewormed and robust definition. We will then adjust our approach in the championship, knowing that the stop would be the start of the 2022-2023 campaign.