Carlos Tavares, the big boss of the Stellantis automobile group, who had traveled to Florida in the United States, witnessed the rout of the two Peugeots at the 1000 Miles of Sebring.
At the opening of the 2023 World Endurance Championship in Florida, the 9X8s experienced reliability and performance problems that plunged the team to the bottom of the standings (9th and 10th, in the last two places in the Hypercar category).
From the formation lap, the 9X8 n°94 driven by the trio Loïc Duval - Nico Müller - Gustavo Menezes was forced to pit (due to a serious problem with the hybrid system).
In the end, the Hypercar spent almost three hours in its pits to finally fail 98 laps behind the triumphant Toyotas.
The n°93, not spared by the worries (nearly an hour in the stand), finished 28 laps behind the Japanese cars.
“
In terms of pure performance, we were at the same level as in qualifying and that reflects what we have been missing all weekend.
In terms of reliability, the two problems that we encountered and which are identical on both cars are known problems and the solution will be available soon for future races.
The drivers on their side gave their maximum and pushed the car to its limits
”, admitted Olivier Jansonnie after this more than sluggish start for his troops.
For the Toyotas, on the other hand, the opening round was crowned with success.
Big favorites in the championship, the “
Toy'
” “achieved the double, Ferrari completing the podium for its return 50 years after its last appearance in the premier class.
At the wheel of the N.7, the Englishman Mike Conway, the Japanese Kamui Kobayashi and the Argentinian José María Lopez had the last word on the N.8, piloted by the Swiss Sébastien Buemi, the New Zealander Brendon Hartley and Japan's Ryo Hirakawa.
This is Toyota's 40th victory in the WEC, which confirms its hegemony since the Japanese team has won the last five championships.
The Ferrari of Italian Antonio Fuoco, Spaniard Miguel Molina and German Nicklas Nielsende, which started from pole position, did not hold the lead for very long.
A competitor's exit from the track brought the cars back to the pits.
And when the race resumed, the Toyotas took the opportunity to take the lead without ever being worried, after the 1,630 km race.
Alpine, who won last year in Florida, had a difficult race, finishing in 16th position.
Ranking of the 1000 Miles of Sebring:
1. Toyota Gazoo Racing (Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi, Jose Maria Lopez) 239 laps in 7h 15 min 37 sec 293/1000th.
2. Toyota Gazoo Racing (Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa) at xx sec xxx/xxxxe
3. Ferrari AF Corse (Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen) two laps
4. Cadillac Racing (Earl Bamber, Alexander Lynn, Richard Westbrook) two laps away
5. Porsche Penske (Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor) four laps
...
16. Alpine Elf Team (Matthieu Vaxivière, Julien Canal, Charles Milesi) at 11 laps
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