24 Hours of Le Mans: Peugeot celebrates its centenary with the ambition of a strong performance
06-06-2026 16:14 - MOTORSPORT
PEUGEOT celebrates the centenary of its first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two PEUGEOT 174S entered the 1926 edition of the race
To mark this milestone, PEUGEOT is hosting a series of fan-focused activations throughout race week
Team Peugeot TotalEnergies aims to build on the progress made at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, both in qualifying and race conditions
100 YEARS OF COMMITMENT AND PASSION AT LE MANS
Since a century ago, PEUGEOT has taken on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1926, two PEUGEOT 174S took the start of the “24-hour Endurance Grand Prix”, marking the beginning of a historic relationship between the Lion brand and the world’s most prestigious endurance race. This first appearance marked the starting point of a long-lasting commitment to endurance racing.
Today, PEUGEOT has achieved 44 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as a works team or engine supplier. The brand has secured three major victories: in 1992 with first and third places on the podium, in 1993 with a historic 1-2-3 finish for the PEUGEOT 905, and in 2009 with a 1-2 result for the PEUGEOT 908 HDi FAP.
Since 2023, the PEUGEOT 9X8 has embodied this passion for the legendary event, a symbol of the brand’s history and commitment. For this occasion, PEUGEOT Design has created a special centenary badge, which will feature on both 9X8 cars.
Video : Peugeot 100 years at Le Mans
OBJECTIVE: FIGHTING AT THE FRONT IN 2026
For its fourth consecutive participation since returning to endurance racing, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies approaches the 94th edition with determination and humility, fully aware of the exceptional demands of the Le Mans event and the intensity of competition in the Hypercar category.
Preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is part of a long-term development program initiated since the previous edition, combining in-depth analysis of the 2025 race, testing sessions, and lessons learned from the FIA WEC rounds at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.
A uniquely complex event, Le Mans requires complete mastery of all race parameters: traffic management, procedures, neutralization and track conditions, all areas on which the team has placed particular focus. The progress observed since the end of the 2025 season, confirmed at the start of this year in both qualifying and race pace, reflects a positive trajectory. In a highly competitive 18-car Hypercar field, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies aims to confirm this upward trend and establish itself consistently in the front of the field.
AT THE HEART OF THE PEUGEOT LE MANS EXPERIENCE
To celebrate the centenary of its first participation at Le Mans, PEUGEOT will offer a range of activities for fans, the public and media throughout race week.
From Tuesday 9 June, the new Peugeot E-208 GTi will be on display in the manufacturer village (10:00–19:00). Come discover the PEUGEOT 9X8, the PEUGEOT Polygon concept and test the Hypersquare steering wheel in the circuit fan zone (10am to 7pm).
From Friday 12 June, a selection of motorsport-themed films including Rush, Ford vs Ferrari, Gran Turismo, Taxi and Fast & Furious will be screened at the Drive-In Paradisio open-air cinema (in collaboration with MK2).
Finally, on Saturday 13 June, a grand parade will bring together 20 PEUGEOT competition and production vehicles that have marked the brand’s history, celebrating the centenary of its first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
FINAL RUN-UP TO LE MANS
For Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, Le Mans week begins on Friday 5 June with the traditional scrutineering and administrative checks in the city center.
On Sunday 7 June, the PEUGEOT 9X8 #93 and #94 and their crews will return to the 13.626 kCircuit des 24 Heures for Test Day.
SCHEDULE (CET)
Wednesday 10 June
Free Practice1 : 14:00Hypercar Qualifying: 19:30Free Practice 2: 22:00Thursday 11 June
Free Practice 3: 14:45Hyperpole 1: 21:05Hyperpole 2: 21:40Free Practice 4: 23:00Saturday 13 June
Warm-Up: 12:00Race start: 16:00 (flagged off by Sir Mark Cavendish)One hundred years and one day after the pioneering PEUGEOT 174S, the PEUGEOT 9X8 will once again take on the twice-around-the-clock challenge in the Sarthe.
4 QUESTIONS TO EMMANUEL ESNAULT (TEAM PRINCIPAL – TEAM PEUGEOT TOTALENERGIES)
What do the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent to you?
“My first experience at Le Mans with a team date back to 1991, and yet it feels like it was yesterday! Since I was very young, mid-June has always been more important than Christmas! This race has never stopped amazing me.
For me, it remains the greatest motorsport event in the world, because of its intensity, its demands and its uniqueness.
Le Mans is a paradoxical and fascinating race: extremely exclusive, featuring major manufacturers, cutting-edge technologies and exceptional drivers, while also being deeply inclusive, bringing together enthusiasts from all backgrounds — experts, newcomers, families, professionals… all united around an extraordinary spectacle that goes far beyond motorsport itself.
It is an incomparable human, technological and emotional automotive experience. And for anyone who lives this sport with passion, winning Le Mans is more than a victory — it is the ultimate Grail.”
As Team Principal, what does it mean to take part in this edition marking the centenary of the brand’s first participation?
“Above all, it is a huge honor and a great responsibility to have been chosen by a manufacturer such as PEUGEOT to lead such a symbolic project.
Being part of this special edition, marking the centenary of the brand’s first participation, gives even greater meaning to our commitment.
It reflects a deep historical attachment to the values of endurance: self-improvement, the constant pursuit of performance and long-term ambition.
At our level, we are the custodians of this heritage, with the desire to keep it alive and to project it into both the present and the future.”
How do the engineers, technicians and mechanics of Team Peugeot TotalEnergies prepare for this race?
“The preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is rigorous and spans several months.
It is based on collective work covering technical preparation of the cars, logistics organization, team coordination and human preparation.
Despite PEUGEOT’s extensive endurance experience, Le Mans remains a unique and unforgiving race that requires great humility. Nothing can ever be taken for granted.
This is why we approach this event with the best possible preparation, anticipating every scenario while remaining able to adapt to the unpredictable — which is also part of the DNA of this race.”
What does Le Mans represent for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies?
“Le Mans is our home race, in France, just 200 km south of Versailles Satory, where our cars are entirely designed, engineered and assembled.
We will undoubtedly have many employees, partners and friends of the PEUGEOT brand around the circuit or following us from screens, in what is already shaping up to be an incredible edition.”
DRIVERS OF TEAM PEUGEOT TOTALENERGIES
Nick Cassidy (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93)
“I am really looking forward to taking part in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially driving a PEUGEOT during the brand’s centenary year. It is a dream to be on the grid of the greatest race in the world. As always, it will be unforgiving, but I am ready to take on the challenge.”
Paul Di Resta (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93)
“This is the most important race of the year and a huge challenge for the entire Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, especially this year with PEUGEOT’s centenary at Le Mans. I am proud to be part of the sporting history of this brand. The competition will be very tough as the level is extremely high, but I believe we are better prepared than in previous years. We have worked well on the simulator, the car is reliable, and the team is ready to take on this challenge.”
Stoffel Vandoorne (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93)
“Le Mans is a race I love, and everyone loves it! It is the race of the year. It is for the 24 Hours of Le Mans that manufacturers like PEUGEOT compete in endurance racing. Driving for a French brand at Le Mans, especially in this centenary year, is something truly special. I hope we can deliver a strong result for the partners and fans of the brand.”
Loïc Duval (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
“It is a real privilege to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially during this golden era of endurance racing. It is the most beautiful race in the world, and also the most demanding as it is a human, technical and mechanical challenge. For me, it is also a home race as I come from Chartres, not far from Le Mans. Driving on the great 24-hour circuit delivers incredible sensations, and every year we look forward to it with great anticipation. I am very happy to share this edition with my two young teammates, and with PEUGEOT celebrating its centenary at Le Mans. It is a great nod to the brand’s heritage in this historic event.”
Malthe Jakobsen (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
“I am looking forward to returning to Le Mans, and I feel better prepared this year for this unique race. We will need to stay focused on our own objectives, avoid mistakes and be ready for every scenario. Representing PEUGEOT in its centenary year is a great honor, and I hope to make the brand proud. For me, Le Mans is also closely linked to Denmark and Danish drivers such as Tom Kristensen, whom I would also like to make proud.”
Théo Pourchaire (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
“I have a lot of personal memories here at Le Mans, as I lived here for four years when I was part of the FFSA Academy and even completed my high school exams here. This is my second participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, after competing in LMP2 in 2025, and my first in Hypercar. I still have a lot to learn, but I am very excited to be driving the PEUGEOT 9X8 on this iconic circuit. As a French driver racing at Le Mans in a French car, especially in the brand’s centenary year, it definitely adds pressure. I would love to achieve a strong result for PEUGEOT and for all the fans following us.”
QUESTION TO ALAIN FAVEY – CEO PEUGEOT
This year being special, how will you celebrate 100 years of PEUGEOT’s presence at Le Mans?
“This is indeed a symbolic milestone that goes far beyond motorsport — it represents a century of passion, innovation and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, and I am particularly proud to celebrate this historic anniversary at the very place where it all began.
Le Mans 2026 will therefore be much more than a race. It will be a major celebration of our heritage and our future.
We will pay tribute to this legacy through a historic parade, bringing together the iconic cars that have shaped PEUGEOT’s endurance history.
We will also create shared emotional moments through an open-air cinema experience, building a link between the past, the present and the art of automotive storytelling — because endurance is not only about performance, but also about stories that are passed down through generations. That is what makes its strength.”
QUESTION TO OLIVIER JANSONNIE – DIRECTOR STELLANTIS MOTORSPORT
What do the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent for Stellantis Motorsport?
“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the flagship endurance event, and arguably one of the most demanding motorsport competitions in the world, as well as a myth that every manufacturer aspires to add to its achievements.
A true monument of motorsport, it mobilizes all teams and brings people together far beyond the scope of the competition, across the entire Stellantis Group.
On a personal level, after having been involved with the 908 and then the 9X8, it will inevitably feel different not to be behind the screens this year. One thing, however, remains unchanged: Stellantis Motorsport, the PEUGEOT brand, and the wider Stellantis Group are fully committed and united behind Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, with unwavering and absolute determination.”
To mark this milestone, PEUGEOT is hosting a series of fan-focused activations throughout race week
Team Peugeot TotalEnergies aims to build on the progress made at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, both in qualifying and race conditions
100 YEARS OF COMMITMENT AND PASSION AT LE MANS
Since a century ago, PEUGEOT has taken on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1926, two PEUGEOT 174S took the start of the “24-hour Endurance Grand Prix”, marking the beginning of a historic relationship between the Lion brand and the world’s most prestigious endurance race. This first appearance marked the starting point of a long-lasting commitment to endurance racing.
Today, PEUGEOT has achieved 44 participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as a works team or engine supplier. The brand has secured three major victories: in 1992 with first and third places on the podium, in 1993 with a historic 1-2-3 finish for the PEUGEOT 905, and in 2009 with a 1-2 result for the PEUGEOT 908 HDi FAP.
Since 2023, the PEUGEOT 9X8 has embodied this passion for the legendary event, a symbol of the brand’s history and commitment. For this occasion, PEUGEOT Design has created a special centenary badge, which will feature on both 9X8 cars.
Video : Peugeot 100 years at Le Mans
OBJECTIVE: FIGHTING AT THE FRONT IN 2026
For its fourth consecutive participation since returning to endurance racing, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies approaches the 94th edition with determination and humility, fully aware of the exceptional demands of the Le Mans event and the intensity of competition in the Hypercar category.
Preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is part of a long-term development program initiated since the previous edition, combining in-depth analysis of the 2025 race, testing sessions, and lessons learned from the FIA WEC rounds at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.
A uniquely complex event, Le Mans requires complete mastery of all race parameters: traffic management, procedures, neutralization and track conditions, all areas on which the team has placed particular focus. The progress observed since the end of the 2025 season, confirmed at the start of this year in both qualifying and race pace, reflects a positive trajectory. In a highly competitive 18-car Hypercar field, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies aims to confirm this upward trend and establish itself consistently in the front of the field.
AT THE HEART OF THE PEUGEOT LE MANS EXPERIENCE
To celebrate the centenary of its first participation at Le Mans, PEUGEOT will offer a range of activities for fans, the public and media throughout race week.
From Tuesday 9 June, the new Peugeot E-208 GTi will be on display in the manufacturer village (10:00–19:00). Come discover the PEUGEOT 9X8, the PEUGEOT Polygon concept and test the Hypersquare steering wheel in the circuit fan zone (10am to 7pm).
From Friday 12 June, a selection of motorsport-themed films including Rush, Ford vs Ferrari, Gran Turismo, Taxi and Fast & Furious will be screened at the Drive-In Paradisio open-air cinema (in collaboration with MK2).
Finally, on Saturday 13 June, a grand parade will bring together 20 PEUGEOT competition and production vehicles that have marked the brand’s history, celebrating the centenary of its first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
FINAL RUN-UP TO LE MANS
For Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, Le Mans week begins on Friday 5 June with the traditional scrutineering and administrative checks in the city center.
On Sunday 7 June, the PEUGEOT 9X8 #93 and #94 and their crews will return to the 13.626 kCircuit des 24 Heures for Test Day.
SCHEDULE (CET)
Wednesday 10 June
Free Practice1 : 14:00Hypercar Qualifying: 19:30Free Practice 2: 22:00Thursday 11 June
Free Practice 3: 14:45Hyperpole 1: 21:05Hyperpole 2: 21:40Free Practice 4: 23:00Saturday 13 June
Warm-Up: 12:00Race start: 16:00 (flagged off by Sir Mark Cavendish)One hundred years and one day after the pioneering PEUGEOT 174S, the PEUGEOT 9X8 will once again take on the twice-around-the-clock challenge in the Sarthe.
4 QUESTIONS TO EMMANUEL ESNAULT (TEAM PRINCIPAL – TEAM PEUGEOT TOTALENERGIES)
What do the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent to you?
“My first experience at Le Mans with a team date back to 1991, and yet it feels like it was yesterday! Since I was very young, mid-June has always been more important than Christmas! This race has never stopped amazing me.
For me, it remains the greatest motorsport event in the world, because of its intensity, its demands and its uniqueness.
Le Mans is a paradoxical and fascinating race: extremely exclusive, featuring major manufacturers, cutting-edge technologies and exceptional drivers, while also being deeply inclusive, bringing together enthusiasts from all backgrounds — experts, newcomers, families, professionals… all united around an extraordinary spectacle that goes far beyond motorsport itself.
It is an incomparable human, technological and emotional automotive experience. And for anyone who lives this sport with passion, winning Le Mans is more than a victory — it is the ultimate Grail.”
As Team Principal, what does it mean to take part in this edition marking the centenary of the brand’s first participation?
“Above all, it is a huge honor and a great responsibility to have been chosen by a manufacturer such as PEUGEOT to lead such a symbolic project.
Being part of this special edition, marking the centenary of the brand’s first participation, gives even greater meaning to our commitment.
It reflects a deep historical attachment to the values of endurance: self-improvement, the constant pursuit of performance and long-term ambition.
At our level, we are the custodians of this heritage, with the desire to keep it alive and to project it into both the present and the future.”
How do the engineers, technicians and mechanics of Team Peugeot TotalEnergies prepare for this race?
“The preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is rigorous and spans several months.
It is based on collective work covering technical preparation of the cars, logistics organization, team coordination and human preparation.
Despite PEUGEOT’s extensive endurance experience, Le Mans remains a unique and unforgiving race that requires great humility. Nothing can ever be taken for granted.
This is why we approach this event with the best possible preparation, anticipating every scenario while remaining able to adapt to the unpredictable — which is also part of the DNA of this race.”
What does Le Mans represent for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies?
“Le Mans is our home race, in France, just 200 km south of Versailles Satory, where our cars are entirely designed, engineered and assembled.
We will undoubtedly have many employees, partners and friends of the PEUGEOT brand around the circuit or following us from screens, in what is already shaping up to be an incredible edition.”
DRIVERS OF TEAM PEUGEOT TOTALENERGIES
Nick Cassidy (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93)
“I am really looking forward to taking part in my first 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially driving a PEUGEOT during the brand’s centenary year. It is a dream to be on the grid of the greatest race in the world. As always, it will be unforgiving, but I am ready to take on the challenge.”
Paul Di Resta (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93)
“This is the most important race of the year and a huge challenge for the entire Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, especially this year with PEUGEOT’s centenary at Le Mans. I am proud to be part of the sporting history of this brand. The competition will be very tough as the level is extremely high, but I believe we are better prepared than in previous years. We have worked well on the simulator, the car is reliable, and the team is ready to take on this challenge.”
Stoffel Vandoorne (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93)
“Le Mans is a race I love, and everyone loves it! It is the race of the year. It is for the 24 Hours of Le Mans that manufacturers like PEUGEOT compete in endurance racing. Driving for a French brand at Le Mans, especially in this centenary year, is something truly special. I hope we can deliver a strong result for the partners and fans of the brand.”
Loïc Duval (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
“It is a real privilege to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially during this golden era of endurance racing. It is the most beautiful race in the world, and also the most demanding as it is a human, technical and mechanical challenge. For me, it is also a home race as I come from Chartres, not far from Le Mans. Driving on the great 24-hour circuit delivers incredible sensations, and every year we look forward to it with great anticipation. I am very happy to share this edition with my two young teammates, and with PEUGEOT celebrating its centenary at Le Mans. It is a great nod to the brand’s heritage in this historic event.”
Malthe Jakobsen (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
“I am looking forward to returning to Le Mans, and I feel better prepared this year for this unique race. We will need to stay focused on our own objectives, avoid mistakes and be ready for every scenario. Representing PEUGEOT in its centenary year is a great honor, and I hope to make the brand proud. For me, Le Mans is also closely linked to Denmark and Danish drivers such as Tom Kristensen, whom I would also like to make proud.”
Théo Pourchaire (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
“I have a lot of personal memories here at Le Mans, as I lived here for four years when I was part of the FFSA Academy and even completed my high school exams here. This is my second participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, after competing in LMP2 in 2025, and my first in Hypercar. I still have a lot to learn, but I am very excited to be driving the PEUGEOT 9X8 on this iconic circuit. As a French driver racing at Le Mans in a French car, especially in the brand’s centenary year, it definitely adds pressure. I would love to achieve a strong result for PEUGEOT and for all the fans following us.”
QUESTION TO ALAIN FAVEY – CEO PEUGEOT
This year being special, how will you celebrate 100 years of PEUGEOT’s presence at Le Mans?
“This is indeed a symbolic milestone that goes far beyond motorsport — it represents a century of passion, innovation and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, and I am particularly proud to celebrate this historic anniversary at the very place where it all began.
Le Mans 2026 will therefore be much more than a race. It will be a major celebration of our heritage and our future.
We will pay tribute to this legacy through a historic parade, bringing together the iconic cars that have shaped PEUGEOT’s endurance history.
We will also create shared emotional moments through an open-air cinema experience, building a link between the past, the present and the art of automotive storytelling — because endurance is not only about performance, but also about stories that are passed down through generations. That is what makes its strength.”
QUESTION TO OLIVIER JANSONNIE – DIRECTOR STELLANTIS MOTORSPORT
What do the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent for Stellantis Motorsport?
“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the flagship endurance event, and arguably one of the most demanding motorsport competitions in the world, as well as a myth that every manufacturer aspires to add to its achievements.
A true monument of motorsport, it mobilizes all teams and brings people together far beyond the scope of the competition, across the entire Stellantis Group.
On a personal level, after having been involved with the 908 and then the 9X8, it will inevitably feel different not to be behind the screens this year. One thing, however, remains unchanged: Stellantis Motorsport, the PEUGEOT brand, and the wider Stellantis Group are fully committed and united behind Team Peugeot TotalEnergies, with unwavering and absolute determination.”
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