Peugeot Sport has confirmed the driver line-up for its two prototypes for the 8 Hours of Bahrain. As all the signs indicated, Nico Müller is the replacement for James Rossiter in the Peugeot #94 after signing for the French brand.
Peugeot Sport is ready for its third participation in the World Endurance Championship with the 9X8, its prototype LMH. After competing in Monza and Fuji, improving its performance in each session held, the French brand has confirmed a change of drivers in their squad for the 8 Hours of Bahrain. In a totally expected move, Nico Müller will replace James Rossitter in the Peugeot #94.
Despite the good performance of James Rossiter after replacing Kevin Magnussen in Peugeot’s starting lineup, the new position of the Briton as director of the Maserati Formula E team will remove the Oxford from piloting duties. While James will hang up his monkey to make way for a new professional stage on the other side of the wall, Nico Müller will take his place in the team’s second Peugeot 9X8 starting at the 8 Hours of Bahrain.
“I am really looking forward to making my debut on the Peugeot 9X8 in Bahrain. The first test in Monza went very well»
Thus, Peugeot #94 lineup in the last round of the WEC will be formed by the trio of drivers composed of Loïc Duval, Gustavo Menezes and Nico Müller. It should be noted in this regard that Duval and Müller already coincided within Audi between 2014 and 2016, although it is true during this stage that Loïc competed in the brand’s LMP1 project in endurance and Müller did so in the DTM.
For its part, there are no changes in the lineup of the other hybrid prototype of the lion brand and in the Peugeot 9X8 with number #93 will compete as in the two previous appointments the squad that is made up of Jean-Eric Vergne, Paul Di Resta and Mikkel Jensen.
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First apparition
Nico Muelleras is logical, has been enthusiastic about his participation in Bahrain: «I am really looking forward to making my debut in the Peugeot 9X8 in Bahrain. The first test in Monza went very well. I quickly felt confident and was able to do long runs. I was even able to test different tire options, though luckily I usually adapt easily when I get into a new car.
“I had a similar experience in Shanghai early in my career, in 2007, when I only did about 10 laps in an LMP2 prototype before taking part in the race weekend. Bahrain will be an opportunity to get even more familiar with the 9X8, just like I do in the team simulator at Satory. It is certainly a precise and invaluable tool” added the Swiss rider.
tuning
Olivier Janssonnieresponsible for the Peugeot project, has valued the incorporation of Nico Müller to the team as a replacement for James Rossiter, Maserati’s new team manager in Formula E: «Nico impressed us on his test day at Monza. He was calm, focused and provided valuable feedback on the Peugeot 9X8 that backed up the views of his new teammates. It fit perfectly and now everything is ready for his debut in Bahrain».
In this line, Jansonnie wanted to remember Rossiter, stating that “I know that I speak on behalf of all the members of Peugeot when I congratulate James Rossiter for all the great work he has done During last year. He will remain as a reserve pilot and also as a development pilot in the simulator for a few more weeks before moving on to hold a new position for which he is perfectly qualified.”
Photos: peugeot sport