2021-22 Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne will join the Peugeot TotalEnergies team’s full-season FIA WEC Hypercar driver roster in 2024, following the departure of Gustavo Menezes.
The news of the Belgian’s full-time drive comes after his first WEC race start with the French manufacturer at Fuji earlier this month, standing in for the injured Nico Müller. The race in Japan was Vandoorne’s first in the WEC since the end of his 2021 campaign with JOTA Sport in LMP2 and his first in the top class since the 2018-19 season, when he made two starts with SMP Racing in a BR1 AER LMP1.
“Finally!!” Vandoorne, who has filled the role of reserve driver for Peugeot this season, said on social media. “I’m joining Peugeot Sport next season and super happy to be back on the WEC grid! I’ve had some great endurance racing moments and am excited to create many more together.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1416]
Menezes, who has been with Peugeot’s 9X8 Hypercar program since its inception, announced last week that the 2023 season finale in Bahrain will be his final race weekend with the team.
“After a three-year journey together, filled with ups and downs, Bahrain will officially be my final race with Peugeot Sport in the FIA WEC,” Menezes said in a statement. “It’s been an absolute pleasure building this project together and making memories that will last a lifetime. As one door closes, new doors open. It’s too soon to share with you all my plans for 2024, but it will be fast — best of luck to the team.”
It is not clear whether or not Vandoorne will be called up again for the 2023 finale in Bahrain. Peugeot Sport technical director Olivier Jansonnie told the media at Fuji that it was too early to say whether or not Müller (who missed the meeting due to a collarbone injury) would be ready for the eight-hour race.
“At the moment the news is good, but we will have to judge at the last minute,” he told the media. “At the moment he is recovering very well. For now, the plan is for him to be in Bahrain; we think he will be.”