A statement issued this evening by the ACO makes it clear that Peugeot Sport’s commitment to, and expansion of, their World Rallycross programme means that there is no short-term prospect of a parallel return to an LMP1 endurance race programme in the FIA WEC and/ or at Le Mans.

The statement reads:

“The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has learned of Peugeot’s decision to intensify its programme in a series other than endurance. We can only accept it and fix an appointment with them in the years to come to prove to them the interest of our branch of motor sport, and the validity of the direction taken in endurance in the areas of cost capping and technology, which other manufacturers and other teams working alongside us will prove to them.

“We’re pursuing our strategy built around an accessible blue-riband category with budgets that are much smaller than those required in recent years: these grew exponentially as was very often the case in the past because of the involvement of several manufacturers. We’ll adapt ourselves to this natural cycle in endurance and take appropriate action. More than ever our approach is constructive, and we’re actively engaged in boosting the appeal of endurance in a changing global context.”