Nico Müller could make his debut for Peugeot as early as the WEC finale in Bahrain: What could still prevent an entry in place of James Rossiter
Ahead of the 2022 WEC finale, the 8h of Bahrain, Peugeot’s works team is facing a driver rochade. Substitute driver James Rossiter has ended his career with a move to the management level of the Maserati team in Formula E. They have already announced a new entry for 2023 in the form of Nico Müller.
Could Müller take his seat in the Frenchman’s hypercar as early as the final race of 2022? “Theoretically it would make sense”,
“Ultimately, that’s also the reason why the team is racing this year: To prepare under race conditions for next year, when it matters. Whatever comes to the team comes to the drivers.” But at the same time, he said, “you can’t just arrive” and immediately race a hypercar.
Nico Müller with old acquaintance in Peugeot 94?
“You need a certain amount of preparation and I want to do my job properly,” Müller clarifies. The Swiss was only announced as a new works driver by Peugeot in September, but has already reeled off his first test kilometres in the Peugeot 9X8 in Monza last week, which he says he “enjoyed”.
A Peugeot entry for the Swiss driver at the WEC finale in Bahrain would, however, have repercussions for his previous team Vector Sport. Müller competed for the British team as a regular driver in the small LMP2 prototype class during the current WEC season. However, he skipped the 6h of Fuji in favour of the DTM at Spa-Francorchamps.
Müller would replace Peugeot’s replacement driver James Rossiter in the 94 9X8, sharing the cockpit with Gustavo Menezes and his former Audi brand mate Loic Duval. Rossiter, for his part, came into action because Kevin Magnussen, who was actually announced as a regular driver, was given a second chance at Haas in Formula 1.
James Rossiter to be Maserati team boss in Formula E
Rossiter had announced the end of his active racing career only a few days ago. Prior to his role as Peugeot replacement driver, he held this position in 2020 and 2021 with Stellantis Group sister DS Techeetah. This was followed by a team-internal move to the post of sporting director for the 2022 season.
Next year Rossiter will be team principal at Formula E newcomer Maserati, also a Stellantis brand. “I’m going to end my career as an active driver so I can put all my energy into this project. I think this is the right way to go,” he clarified.
“Peugeot and Stellantis have supported me to take on this new role. I will not continue driving for Peugeot.” A final decision on who will support Duval and Menezes at the WEC finale in Bahrain is due to be made in a few days.
