Vandoorne joins Peugeot WEC squad as reserve driver

Reigning Formula E World Champion Stoffel Vandoorne will serve as Peugeot's official reserve driver this season in the World Endurance Championship.

Vandoorne, who moved to DS Penske this year in Formula E following Mercedes' exit from the all-electric series, thus joins a fellow Stellantis Group manufacturer and adds a second reserve role to his 2023 schedule, the Belgian also nominated as a substitute for the Aston Martin team in F1 alongside Felipe Drugovic.

Vandoorne was offered an opportunity to sample Peugeot's 9X8 Hypercar at a test in Bahrain at the end of last year, but the former McLaren charger was forced to pull out from the test after suffering from appendicitis.

"I feel that the programme I have is really the perfect schedule between endurance racing, Formula E and Formula 1," commented Vandoorne.

"It's great to be a part of the development of the Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar. The 9X8's unique concept has everybody talking about Peugeot again. We can build a very strong future together."

• Read also: Vandoorne happy with Alonso reunion at Aston Martin

Peugeot is set to undertake its first full season in the WEC, meaning the Sochaux manufacturer will return to Le Mans for the first time since 2011 when it finished runner-up in the endurance classic behind the winning Audi R18.

The French constructor will field the same driver line-up as it did last year upon its debut in the WEC.

Paul di Resta, Mikkel Jensen and Jean-Eric Vergne – Vandoorne's DS Penske teammate – will steer Peugeot's #93 entry, while Loic Duval, Gustavo Menezes and Nico Muller will share the team's sister car.

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