SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 19, 2025 - Peugeot’s #93 Hypercar Secures Seventh Position on the Grid
Team Peugeot TotalEnergies has achieved its second consecutive Hyperpole appearance in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), placing the PEUGEOT 9X8 #93 in seventh position for the 6 Hours of Imola. Jean-Eric Vergne delivered a strong performance, improving steadily throughout the session to clinch a valuable grid spot in an intensely competitive field.
Tight Margins Define Intense Qualifying Session
Under the Emilia-Romagna sunshine, the Qualifying session for the 2025 6 Hours of Imola was fiercely contestedbetween the 18 Hypercar prototypes entered in the second round of the FIA WEC. With ambient conditions pushing track temperatures to 38°C, tire management and precise driving became essential factors.
Stoffel Vandoorne took charge of the PEUGEOT 9X8 #94, delivering a solid performance on medium-compound tires. “Belgian driver Stoffel Vandoorne clocked a time of 1:31.010 on his first flying lap before improving to 1:30.848 — the eleventh-fastest time, just five hundredths of a second away from a Hyperpole spot.”
Jean-Eric Vergne, piloting the #93 entry, encountered challenges with track limits during his early laps. “Jean-Eric Vergne saw his first two laps (1:31.222 and an impressive 1:30.799) cancelled for track limits. On his final flying lap, the Frenchman managed to set the tenth-fastest time of Qualifying (1:30.833), securing a place in the Hyperpole.”
Delivering Under Pressure in the Hyperpole
Returning to the track with a fresh set of medium tires, Vergne showed composure and pace during the limited ten-minute Hyperpole session. “He continued to improve, setting a time of 1:30.301 — the seventh-fastest. The PEUGEOT 9X8 #93 will therefore start from the fourth row on the grid.”
This result not only places Peugeot in a strong position for the start of the race but also reinforces the team's upward trajectory in performance and consistency across the WEC season. The pace shown by both cars demonstrates growing competitiveness and adaptability from the team and drivers alike.
Leadership Reflects on Strong Momentum
Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP of Stellantis Motorsport, shared his perspective on the team’s continued progress and the growing momentum:
“This is our second Hyperpole in two races, after going without since Qatar 2024. I’d say the trend is positive, but we have to keep working to improve further. Stoffel came really close to qualifying as well. These positive results are encouraging for the team and for our ambitions.”
Eyes Set on Race Day
As both the #93 and #94 Hypercars line up within the top eleven, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies looks ahead with confidence. Their recent performance confirms that the team has found solid form in the 2025 campaign.
The 6 Hours of Imola promises to be a pivotal event in this year’s championship, and all eyes will be on the two PEUGEOT 9X8s as they chase podium finishes on one of Italy’s most iconic circuits. With drivers gaining more synergy and the cars proving reliable under pressure, anticipation for race day is high.
For more updates and insights from the track, visit Peugeot Sport.