Peugeot says their return to top tier sportscar racing in 2022 remains on target despite yet having confirmed whether the French marque will develop a LM Hypercar or LMDh challenger.
In a brief statement issued yesterday, Peugeot outlined that its “goal is still to be there in 2022” despite having delayed the decision which was originally due at the end of March.
Peugeot have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times, between 1992-1993 and again in 2009, but pulled the plug on their prototype project in 2011.
Last year the manufacturer declared its intentions to return to the acme of sportscar racing in 2022 with the introduction of the LMH platform.
But the announcement of the LMDh category, which will give manufacturers freedom to race the same car in both the WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, has also attracted the interest of the French marque.
The final confirmed technical details of the LMDh platform is expected to be revealed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in September, which is well past the timeframe Peugeot have to decide what car to build.
Nevertheless, Motorsport boss of Peugeot’s parent company PSA, Jean-Marc Finot, said in the statement that the car maker will make its final decision concerning what to build “in due time.”
“The last economic metrics should be soon available, so we will able to make a 100 percent comprehensive review,” he said.
“Peugeot will reveal, in due time, the category in which the brand will come back in endurance in 2022.”
“Motorsports after the crisis will have to show a bigger social and environmental responsibility and its costs will have to be significantly lower.
“Priority should be given to attractiveness and entertainment rather than unreasonable technological developments we have been facing.
“We are satisfied with the ACO/IMSA/WEC announcement and especially with the confirmation of technical issues linked to the Balance of Performance, which will ensure a sporting equity between both categories.”
The next round of the 2019/2020 WEC season is slated as the Total Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps which has been rescheduled to August 15.
Meanwhile, the IMSA series is currently scheduled to resume with the six-hour fixture at Watkins Glen on 28 June.