Vandoorne handed Peugeot WEC drive for 2024 campaign
Aston Martin F1 reserve Stoffel Vandoorne will undertake a full season in the World Endurance Championship in 2024 with Peugeot.
Vandoorne held a reserve role this year with the French manufacturer's Hypercar squad and was called upon to sub for an injured Nico Muller at the Fuji round earlier this month.
The Belgian and teammates Loic Duval and Gustavo Menezes finished seventh overall in Japan onboard Peugeot's #94 entry, a strong display that has incited the team to include Vandoorne in its driver line-up for 2024.
The 2022 Formula E World Champion completed a full season in the WEC in 2021 with the JOTA LMP2 outfit which finished second in the championship.
"I’m really happy to join the team as official driver for the 2024 season," said Vandoorne, who started 41 Grands Prix with McLaren in Formula 1.
"I have always appreciated the FIA WEC and am familiar with it as I raced in 2019 and 2021.
"My goal was clearly to come back to this championship and even more now with the Hypercar class, with so many manufacturers.
"Having the opportunity to fight for the victory and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is fantastic and I think it’s a dream for a lot of drivers. I’m really glad to be part of this team and excited to start with Peugeot."
Senior VP of Stellantis Motorsport Jean-Marc Finot said: "As he showed in Fuji, his team spirit, his performance, and his consistency are in line with the ones of his teammates," he said.
"Of course, we already know Stoffel very well, as driver for DS Penske in Formula E; he is part of the Stellantis Motorport drivers’ family.
"His ability to adapt and to be get into rhythm right away shows that both series are complementary, the FIA WEC and FIA Formula E and the advantage of having drivers that participate in both championships."
Should Vandoorne dovetail next year his new Peugeot commitment with another campaign in FE with DS Penske, which is likely, the Stellantis-affiliated team will need to find a substitute for the Belgian as several rounds of the WEC clash with the all-electric series own schedule.
Peugeot currently sits fifth in the Hypercar constructors’ standings, behind Toyota, which clinched the title with one race to spare, Ferrari, Porsche and Cadillac.
The championship's final round will take place on November 4 in Bahrain.
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