SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 6, 2025 – The roar of engines and the emotional strains of Fratelli d’Italia set the stage for a dramatic showdown at the 6 Hours of Imola, where Team Peugeot TotalEnergies battled their way to a hard-earned top-10 finish. Despite weather uncertainties, strategic challenges, and mid-race misfortunes, the team showcased perseverance and promising pace that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
An Unlucky Day at a Legendary Track
The historic Imola circuit, with its tight corners and unforgiving layout, played host to 36 contenders and more than 65,000 passionate tifosi. Right from the green light, both Peugeot 9X8 Hypercars showed strong starts—Paul Di Resta in car #93 jumping to 6th, and Loïc Duval in car #94 breaking into the top 10.
But the early momentum hit a snag when a delayed pit stop and an unfortunate spin set back the #93. Meanwhile, car #94 received a 10-second penalty for contact, making a challenging race even tougher.
Fighting Back with Grit and Strategy
Even with setbacks, the team refused to fold. Malthe Jakobsen took over the #94 and delivered a series of aggressive, fast-paced laps that clawed the team back into the top 10 by the halfway mark. Jean-Eric Vergne and Mikkel Jensen also powered through, managing tire strategies and keeping pace with the field.
Stoffel Vandoorne and Mikkel Jensen were charged with the final stints, bringing home the cars in P9 and just outside the top 10, a testament to the drivers’ focus and the team's ability to adapt under pressure.
A Weekend of Highs and Lessons
Although the team fell short of a podium, there were strong positives to take away. As Olivier Jansonnie, Technical Director of Peugeot Sport, reflected:
“It’s a mixed result overall, with strong qualifying sessions, but some disappointment in the race. We weren’t able to slot into the right packs of cars, and on a circuit like Imola where overtaking is so difficult, that prevented us from achieving a better result today, despite improved pace on a clear track.”
The drivers echoed similar sentiments, noting both the challenges and the small wins:
- Loïc Duval (#94): “Starting from 11th is never easy... My second stint was good, with some tire degradation, but the car was quite consistent and competitive.”
- Mikkel Jensen (#93): “P9 isn’t a great result, but the midfield is so close that a small strategic mistake can easily drop you from 5th to 15th.”
Looking Ahead with Optimism
With the technical performance of the PEUGEOT 9X8 improving and strategy refinements already underway, the team is setting its sights on upcoming races with renewed energy. The experience at Imola—while humbling—showcased the team's resilience and deepened the fans’ appreciation for their determination.
Race enthusiasts can keep up with the latest updates and behind-the-scenes moments from Team Peugeot TotalEnergies by visiting www.peugeot-sport.com.