On December 4, Peugeot and the Swiss private team Rebellion announced their marriage with a view to the endurance of the French brand in 2022. Just over two months later, the partner of the French manufacturer announced Thursday, via a press release , that he had decided to redirect his sports program by leaving motor racing after the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2020 (June 13-14). An announcement that surprises, above all, that the Swiss team, main opponent of Toyota, confirmed a week ago the engagement of a second prototype in the Sarthe this year by recruiting the very experienced Romain Dumas.
"The Rebellion Corporation brand strategy must change!" The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2020 will be our last race and we will make it a point of honor to end the adventure on a positive note, and to enrich an already excellent record. We thank our partners for having placed their trust in us and for having taken up so many challenges with a rebellious spirit. As a private team, we are proud to have written a page in motorsport. I am convinced of the future success of the Peugeot brand challenge in WEC, which I regret not being able to support, ”commented Calim Boudhadra, the team's CEO.
Peugeot reassures and affirms that the project is maintained
Peugeot quickly reacted to this announcement by saying that it was not a stop for its program in the discipline. “We are currently in the initial technical construction phase of the project & take note of the Rebellion decision, which leads us to modify the config. of our operational system by 2022. This does not call into question the Peugeot WEC program, ”assured the French brand, which took care to remove the Rebellion logo in an image illustrating its future prototype. Beyond this early and unexpected divorce, this withdrawal is a new blow for the world of Endurance and the 24 Hours of Le Mans which lose the only real credible rival of Toyota.
We are enthusiastically pursuing our commitment @FIAWEC, in a refocused configuration with our partner @TotalRacingFR, to design a car that will be the pride of the @Peugeot Brand, in perfect harmony with its energy transition pic.twitter.com/xxOIaCzYRQ
- Peugeot Sport (@peugeotsport) February 13, 2020Read also
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