[WEC] Peugeot Sport returning to WEC

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Derek Bennett's Chevron B16 coupe was a very elegant shape, perfect visually in every way.

I'm convinced you noticed that this year's Glicks livery can make you think about another race wonder, the Lola T70 (MkIII b is my favourite). The Glicks light blue painting is perfect in this matter and the blue/white/red stripes are the perfect matching compliment. IMO as they say.

[Aysedasi]

.....and back to Peugeot.......

From a more mundane 'looks' perspective.... When I first saw this car unveiled at Le Mans last year in that drab 'battleship' grey livery, I confess I thought, 'Meh'...... At Le Mans I thought the cars looked terrific, particularly at night. And up close yesterday at the FOS, I thought it looked even better.....

[Gerard C]

Yes indeed they do look great. Now. They spared no effort in the deco design. Next move will be the transmission.Did you buy a Pug T-shirt showing Meh…? Yes? Selfie please…

[Gerard C]

Interesting focus on the duck-tail tho. https://www.capgemini.com/about-us/p...peugeot-sport/

[tomcug]

It's a nice looking car, no doubt about it. It's not my fav hypercar but I'd lie saying I don't enjoy this design However the wingless approach surely doesn't pay dividends in terms of performance, at Monza they were the only major manufacturer with maximum power allowed by the regulations and they had lower front axle activation speed.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by tomcug

However the wingless approach surely doesn't pay dividends in terms of performance

ATM.

[Gerard C]

You've been lucky at FOS yesterday, Aye.

[Aysedasi]

I was. The weather was poor and I did too much walking which had an effect on me yesterday, but I was lucky I went on Friday and wasn't planning to go on Saturday instead. I hope they have a good day today.

[flatlandsman]

I have heard rumours elsewhere that Peugeot were testing a new car at Portimao, or is this complete nonsense, have seen nothing, or maybe that is deliberate?

[Gerard C]

Deliberate? Pescarolo Sports will have a Peugeot probably near to what you saw at LM. Another rumor is that the official team, TotalEnergies, are testing different configurations of "tires".

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Pescarolo Sports will have a Peugeot probably near to what you saw at LM.

Is this based on new information, or their press release sans funding a while back?

[Gerard C]

Agreement between PS and TE was announced before LM, March '23 as you rightly suggest. What is said is that they have to complete the funding, which is huge, to have the car at LM24. As to TE testing a completely new car I dont think its realistic.

[Steve McQ]

Aren't the rules prohibiting to homologate more than one car for a 5 years period ? And I think all homologated hypercar tests are supposed to be public and sometimes collective with other manufacturers.


So, to me, it is impossible that Peugeot is currently testing a new car behind closed doors. Maybe another Stellantis brand is, but not Peugeot.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Steve McQ

So, to me, it is impossible that Peugeot is currently testing a new car behind closed doors. Maybe another Stellantis brand is, but not Peugeot.

Right, not a new car badged Peugeot for the reasons you named. But evolutions, yes. Not forgetting they have to anticipate any future BoP change which is quite a challenge.
As to see a heavily modified Pug (rear wing for instance) badged under another Stellantis brand, I'm with you again, but the choice is huge and no info have filtered so far. Could take a while.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Agreement between PS and TE was announced before LM, March '23 as you rightly suggest. What is said is that they have to complete the funding, which is huge, to have the car at LM24.

It's the same agreement I currently have in place with Bugatti.

[Gerard C]

All this could lead to strange situations. What will happen if a modified Pug, whatever the Stellantis brand will be used, is faster than a TEPug? Not forgetting that over the years it's been hard to know for sure where the funding came from for the race teams like Matra, Ligier and Pug again. Because you're deeply involved into this business yourself you must have the answers. Not much room for people like Glick I fear.

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by Steve McQ

Aren't the rules prohibiting to homologate more than one car for a 5 years period ?

Two cars can be homologated per manufacturer. But the 9X8 is getting better and better, partly due to BOP help, but still certainly team is going in the right direction. I'd expect more jokers rather than a new design.

[Gerard C]

I think they'll win at least one race before the end of the season.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Another rumor is that the official team, TotalEnergies, are testing different configurations of "tires".

Is this a rumor in print form? A different "configruation" would imply a swith from Option 1 to Option 2 that all other current cars are running...

[Gerard C]

Not print, but I'll check for you. May be they're testing for the french official manufacturer. And if it is this, you won't see it printed either. The tires have been a determining factor when they designed the car. From the LM vids (some have been deleted from YT) its obvious that they use a rather long travel for the suspensions. This makes me think now that the ride height is not a real concern but more likely the pitch (or level would you prefer). They will win this year. No doubt.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Not print, but I'll check for you. May be they're testing for the french official manufacturer. And if it is this, you won't see it printed either. The tires have been a determining factor when they designed the car. From the LM vids (some have been deleted from YT) its obvious that they use a rather long travel for the suspensions. This makes me think now that the ride height is not a real concern but more likely the pitch (or level would you prefer). They will win this year. No doubt.

Pitch is something that is measured in wind tunnel as part of homolgation, so 'pitch' altering elements like active suspension or wings are for the bin

[Gerard C]

Right. To my knowledge the cars are officially windtunneld once a year. They must remain compliant to the results any time. But they can have homologated at least two different aero elements. As to mesure any pitch on-track alteration, you're right, the instances can monitor this live, amongst many other things. What is the tolerance applied, I dunno. As the put the wing to the bin, you've been heard. They will win at least once this year.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

They will win at least once this year.

That's a bold statement.....

[S griffin]

I think they need to go away, have a rethink and come back even more prepared.

[flatlandsman]

I think the car could potentially podium, but not win, the Ferrari and Toyota are still quicker and more reliable.

The biggest issue Peugeot have is reliability, the gearbox OR the gearbox software (more likely) prevents the damn thing from doing any worthwhile work. A bit like this weird issue Porsche are having that forces them to seem to do routine Ctl/Alt/DEL

But be honest, where would you rather be? Fairly close and unreliable with a unique car and a new way fo working? or closer to the pace but probably realising you got the basic design completely wrong as Porsche are at least in WEC terms?

I think we all expected Porsche to be front runners, but they simply have not been the car has not routinely showed the pace of the two leading brands, so they must be looking at ways of making that better, indeed Jota have often showed the factory cars up at both Monza and LM at times. Penske may need to do some work also!