[WEC] Peugeot exits Le Mans racing

[deggis]

Originally Posted by JAG

Citroen pulled out of the WRC a few years back to develop the C4, handing the Xsara's to a privateer, before returning.

(This happened in 2006.) I was thinking about this too, but I'm not sure that the Kronos team that replaced the official team (at least nominally) was really that much of a privateer... at least they retained of a lot of the same personnel and of course the driver(s). As far as I remember there was sort of a feeling that Citroen never really quit and obviously that became clear when they still won the championship. So, in this sense, especially if no privateet Pugs, this will be a different situation.

This was the livery in 2006, imho not that private-ish:

[Mal]

Clutching at Straws - there has been a few rumours of Pug looking for a private team / sponsor to run the cars- maybe, just maybe there is another announcement to come?

[deggis]

Duplicate thread, imho...

[JAG]

Peugeot Sport are still around and staff will be moved around the organisation, Autosport say the option has been left open to return in 2013 if there's a budget, but I guess a more realistic time-frame is 2014.

[deggis]

Conflicts with the 2014 idea though.

Peugeot's Sport department has not been closed as part of today's announced changes – [---] – and it is understood that the door has been left open to future racing programmes should funds once again become available in 2013.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97084

[Acid09]

Well, the more we hear about it the less bad it sounds actually.

Still, I don't think a return in 2013 even makes sense, they would have fallen behind Audi & Toyota and putting money into the car for one year is no wise move.

Their best bet really is to get the 2014 car prepared as early and carefully as possible.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by deggis

Conflicts with the 2014 idea though.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97084

Originally Posted by Acid09

Well, the more we hear about it the less bad it sounds actually.

Still, I don't think a return in 2013 even makes sense, they would have fallen behind Audi & Toyota and putting money into the car for one year is no wise move.

Their best bet really is to get the 2014 car prepared as early and carefully as possible.

This. If they get the budget in 2013, they should simply put it to work towards design, development and testing miles for a car built to the 2014 rules.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Three fewer diesels on the grid.
What this effectively means is three noisy, petrol, proper sportscars taking their place at La Sarthe. So that's a plus.

I don't see how you make that jump to be honest. Doesn't mean there will be more petrol cars just because Pug pulled out. Unless you'd rather see three LMP2's.

[Victor_RO]

Double post, I know, but something interesting:

Peugeot exit of WEC is very bad news. Really nice car to drive and lots of good people. It was going to be a new challenge for me.

https://twitter.com/#!/LucasdiGrassi...93719820447744

Sounds like di Grassi had indeed signed for one of the vacant Peugeot seats before the team pulled out for this season...

[ronnie peterson]

So, indeed di Grassi was supposed to drive the 908. Shame that won't be happening for him.

https://twitter.com/#!/LucasdiGrassi...93719820447744

[Acid09]

That sucks, same for Vernay. Lots of losers here, kind of hard to imagine a guy like Stephane Sarrazin without a top drive for Le Mans as well.... absurd.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by deggis

Conflicts with the 2014 idea though.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97084

If they are to return in 2014 they'll need to start planning now, and get a budget in place to develop the car in 2013.

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I don't see how you make that jump to be honest. Doesn't mean there will be more petrol cars just because Pug pulled out. Unless you'd rather see three LMP2's.

I'd probably rather see the Peugeots...probably. I dunno why, but diesels ruin it for me. Well I do know why. They're silent and they're not very sportscar-like.

LMP1s, LMP2s - and don't forget GT cars are petrol too!

[deggis]

Not a fan of the whole equivalency mess but the noise alone is the lamest lame reason.

[Deleted]

Minassian will be on Midweek Motorsport tonight, in addition to usual madness. Be sure to tune in.

[AndrewF31]

completely shocked by this. Despitel the gloom I couldn't believe this happened. Since they did take so long to do this, it must have meant they were trying to keep it alive after having pushed for the WEC to appear.
This is very disappointing. WEC will be much more mellow this year.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Was totally shocked to read this when I logged on this morning. There were rumours but Mulsanne Mike (he is very well informed) thought the budget was in place for 2012. I am still excited about the WEC but the epic Le Mans races of the past few years now appear unlikely, in P1 at least. Still there will be some stellar grids in WEC (I think I am the only one looking forward to P2) so all is not lost. Come on Toyota, get out there ASAP! Perhaps Honda could throw a couple of engineers at Strakka and JRM too?

[Aysedasi]

This is big enough news to mean that it deserves a thread of it's own beyond the 908 thread in my opinion, but it's too wide for the just the LM subforum. I'll try and tidy up a bit. It may well be that the 908 thread will ultimately be closed.

[Acid09]

Well, the budget was in place for 2012 basically, but that would have meant no car in 2014.

I guess the decision to go in favor of 2014 was made in the last minute.

[gwyllion]

Some reactions on the withdrawal:

• Davidson: Peugeot exit a big blow
• ACO bullish despite Peugeot withdrawal
• Citroen affirms WRC commitment

[Simmi]

Can't imagine we'll get it, but if there was any kind of 'we'll be back' type statement from Pug beyond this rumour it still means the WEC is on a healthy course heading into the reg changes.

Same way that Porsche saying they will return should benefit the series now.

[PascaLM]

Peugeot agreed with the WEC. This annoucement is coming very lately.

[cmk]

Shocking and completely saddening. A huge loss to sportscar racing.

Right now, Alex Wurz looks like he made the best decision possible in the off-season.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by PascaLM

Peugeot agreed with the WEC. This annoucement is coming very lately.

The only positive from this is they showed a will to continue, even with a privateer effort.

There's no doubt diesel, and particularly hybrids, will play a strong part in Peugeot's road car future, they also need to increase sales in emerging markets which is the route of so many of their financial troubles, so you have to hope the rumour is correct Quesnel decided to forgo a 2012 program to develop a 2014 challenger.

I'd also add Citroen have confirmed their WRC future and claim it will extend beyond Loeb's two year deal, they've already gone to the expense of developing the new reg DS3, so don't 't have the twin financial challenge of developing an all new car and competing.

[Simmi]

Lots of implications coming out of this. Some huge, some smaller.

If you were Strakka and you now have a legitimate shot at a Le Mans podium would you consider changing your driver line-up?