Team Peugeot Heads to Texas for Lone Star Le Mans

The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) makes its U.S. stop this weekend as the Lone Star State hosts Round 6 at Circuit of The Americas (COTA). The 6-hour endurance race, known as the Lone Star Le Mans, will put drivers and machines to the test on Austin’s technical 3.426-mile (5.513-kilometer) counter-clockwise circuit. With soaring temperatures, heavy bumps, and fast transitions, the track has a reputation for punishing both cars and drivers.

Team Peugeot TotalEnergies returns to action with its pair of PEUGEOT 9X8 Hypercars, the #93 and #94, eager to build momentum after its best result of the season in São Paulo. At Interlagos, the French team scored P6 and P7, and the #93 chassis even crossed the milestone of 10,000 kilometers (6,214 miles) traveled this season at an average of 112 mph (181 km/h). That performance, combined with refreshed driver lineups, has Peugeot eyeing improvement on American soil.

Driver Lineup: Familiar Faces Return – 

After missing Brazil due to Formula E commitments, Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne are back in their respective cars. Vergne rejoins Paul Di Resta and Mikkel Jensen in the #93 entry, while Vandoorne returns alongside Loïc Duval and Malthe Jakobsen in the #94.

For Vergne, the break was long:

“After almost three months away from the car since Le Mans, I’m ready to get back behind the wheel. I used the summer to recharge with family and double down on training. With two key races in September, focus and fitness are critical.”

Vandoorne, who has always liked COTA, knows it’s no Sunday drive:

“Austin is fun, but brutal. The bumps, the heat, the fast and slow corners mixed together—it’s physically demanding. Strategy will come down to how we manage tire wear, because this race can be one of the toughest of the year.”

The Track and Its Challenges – 

Circuit of The Americas is a fan favorite but a headache for engineers. Despite resurfacing work in 2024, the asphalt remains uneven. That forces difficult suspension and tire choices. Technical Director Olivier Jansonnie explains:

“We’ll watch the weather carefully. Tire choice is crucial when track temps climb. Medium compounds might offer the best balance, but high wear is always a risk at Austin. This is a race where small decisions have big consequences.”

COTA’s unique layout—with its 133-foot (40.5-meter) climb into Turn 1, flowing Esses, and long back straight—demands versatility from the 9X8. Drivers will wrestle with downforce settings to find balance between speed and stability.

A Kiwi Joins the Pride – 

The big headline, though, comes from outside the race itself. Nick Cassidy, a 31-year-old from New Zealand and one of the brightest stars in global motorsport, will officially join Peugeot’s driver roster in 2026. But before that, Cassidy gets his first taste of the 9X8 in Austin.

On the Tuesday following the race, he’ll test the car alongside Formula 2 champion Théo Pourchaire, who also continues his development program with the team.

Cassidy, a two-time Formula E runner-up and champion in both Super Formula and Super GT, couldn’t hide his excitement:

“To race for Peugeot in endurance, especially at Le Mans, is a dream. This test is my first step with the team, and I can’t wait to contribute to their goals.”

Peugeot’s Jansonnie sees Cassidy as a major asset:

“Nick’s versatility, speed, and technical feedback will strengthen our program. His first run in Austin is about creating that connection with the 9X8 before he joins full-time in 2026.”

What to Expect This Weekend – 

The race weekend kicks off Friday, September 5 with two practice sessions. Qualifying follows on Saturday, and on Sunday, September 7, the 6-hour race begins at 1:00 p.m. local time.

The WEC field will bring plenty of competition for Peugeot, with Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, and Cadillac all in the Hypercar mix. But for the French team, this race is more about progress and preparation. The 9X8 hasn’t yet matched its rivals on outright pace, but consistency and learning remain the focus.

If the team can back up its solid result from Brazil with another strong showing in Austin, it will continue building the foundation for 2026, when Cassidy’s arrival promises to shake things up even further.