Peugeot wants to “confirm the good dynamic” at Spa

The big meeting of the year is approaching for Peugeot . THE 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 10-11) are on the horizon and the French team continues its preparation for the Sarthe event. This weekend, the Sochaux firm will experience its last “life-size” rehearsal with the third round of the World Championship.Endurance, the 6 Hours of Spa.

In Belgium, the tricolor clan will aim to do at least as well as in Portimão, where the two 9X8s finished the race with the added bonus of a first top 5 in WEC. After the debacle at Sebring, Peugeot had raised its head in Portugal and intends to ride this dynamic on the Walloon track.

“Obviously, Spa is a special event for many of us, it is an iconic circuit which has particularities both appreciated and feared by the teams, said Christian Deltombes, Team Manager of the Peugeot team. The weekend in Portimão allowed us to regain some serenity within the team. Sebring was a beneficial electric shock for everyone. (…) We will do everything to confirm this good dynamic at Spa even if we are aware of the work that remains to be accomplished. The challenge is all the more important as the time between Portimao and Spa was very short. »

Spa, “good preparation” before Le Mans for Peugeot

On the drivers' side, while everyone was delighted by the progress made on the reliability of the French Hypercar, everyone also believes that there is still work to be done regarding the speed of the 9X8s. “We need to further improve our performance and as long as we take steps in the right direction, race after race, it will be positive,” underlines Jean-Éric Vergne, member of the No. 93 crew. The changing weather will be the trap to avoid, as well as the cold for the tires. I think the tire strategy will be one of the key elements for this race. » 

The Frenchman, frustrated by a problem detected at the start of the 6 Hours of Portimão on the No. 93, hopes to be in the match this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. An essential step before the double clock tower in Sarthe. “Spa is also the last race before Le Mans, it will be good preparation, particularly thanks to the long straight which will allow us to see where we are compared to the other competitors in terms of top speed, in a straight line. And so we will be able to see if we need to change things or not before the 24 Hours of Le Mans” explains the Ile-de-France resident. With less than a month before the big meeting, approximations and errors will no longer be permitted for Peugeot.

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