Peugeot Sport support driver Malthe Jakobsen was ‘of course’ disappointed after the team did not opt to enter him in one of their 9X8s though acknowledged the team’s wider intentions to run the drivers who will compete at Le Mans with their new car.
When asked about the matter of being put to the sidelines, he said: “Of course. I’m a racing driver at the end of the day and I’d prefer to be sitting in a race car with the steering between my hands, but I understand the team’s importance of keeping the team environment.
“And the team spirit with a brand new car, to prepare themselves as best as possible for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is the big target for everybody in this sport, and especially the team as well.”
For the third round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, Peugeot are the only team to field both of their #93 and #94 Hypercar entrants with two-driver lineups.
This is primarily due to the clash with the FIA Formula E World Championship, requiring Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Eric Vergne to fulfill commitments as DS Penske drivers.
Despite their absence, the Stellantis manufacturer has not opted to field Jakobsen in race conditions, as he will continue to support the team on the sidelines.
He continued: “… But I still feel like I’m ready [if asked], otherwise I don’t think they would have given me the opportunity to be a reserve driver as well because it means that if one day, when one of the drivers won’t be ready to drive, I mean [I will].
“Like the team has taken good care of me and, you know, the other drivers to keep learning me and making me take the time that it takes to be able to learn.
“It’s definitely getting better and better now, as a driver and just as a person, you know, in this sport I keep learning and keep developing myself.”
Regarding Jakobsen’s role in the Peugeot team and the slight discrepancy between his now-former job title, reserve driver, a spokesperson for the French manufacturer confirmed his role is now ‘support driver’ for the team.
He has taken part in all four private endurance tests with the revised 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar, featuring updated aerodynamics such as a rear wing, new underfloor, and revised tyre size, compared to the 2022/2023 9X8.
Furthermore, there are no clashes between his European Le Mans Series commitment with COOL Racing and his WEC role with Peugeot, and was recently confirmed in the entry list for COOL Racing for Le Mans, taking place on 15-16 June.
