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Peugeot 9X8
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Analysis

Why Peugeot couldn't afford to take a Le Mans gamble in 2022

Ahead of the much-anticipated arrival of its new 9X8 Hypercar, Peugeot revealed that it would not be entering this year's Le Mans 24 Hours with its incoming machinery. Although development restrictions for homologated cars are partially responsible, the French marque can draw on its own lessons from its history in sportscars

Peugeot won't be going to the Le Mans 24 Hours this year with its avant-garde 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar. Should you be surprised? Not if you have already gleaned an understanding of how the twin rule sets allowing entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship work.

That's an understanding of an entirely new philosophy at the pinnacle of international sportscar racing. The LMH and sister LMDh formulae are non-development categories. They have been framed that way in the name of cost reduction, and a massive one at that.

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