In the first qualifying session, the Danish driver spun at the top of Raidillon on his out lap, caught out by cold tyres.
Fortunately, the PEUGEOT 9X8 #94 remained on track, but Malthe had to return to the pits to change all four tyres. Meanwhile, Stoffel Vandoorne set two provisional third-fastest times at the wheel of the PEUGEOT 9X8 #93.
Back on track, after two laps to bring his tyres up to temperature, Malthe Jakobsen set the second-fastest time in 2:01.023 on his only flying lap. Stoffel Vandoorne finished the session in fifth place, also securing a place in Hyperpole.
Fitted with new medium compound tyres, the two Team Peugeot TotalEnergies drivers returned to the track for the 12-minute Hyperpole session.
After carefully bringing their tyres up to temperature, Malthe and Stoffel completed their first flying laps. With a time of 2:00.653, Malthe Jakobsen immediately moved to the top of the provisional standings, while Stoffel Vandoorne set the sixth-fastest time with a 2:01.198.
No other Hypercar managed to beat Malthe Jakobsen’s lap time, securing PEUGEOT’s first-ever pole position in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Upon his return, the young Danish driver was warmly congratulated by the entire team, as well as by his illustrious compatriot Tom Kristensen, nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Stoffel Vandoorne eventually dropped to ninth place in the PEUGEOT 9X8 #93.
Emmanuel Esnault (Team Principal)
“Congratulations and thank you to the entire Team Peugeot TotalEnergies for today’s performance. It’s not a victory, tomorrow will be a different story, but we’re smiling tonight. I would like to thank everyone in the team because for the past four years, even in difficult times, no one has given up. The drivers, the engineers, the mechanics—everyone has stayed committed and kept their spirits high. That’s the strength of a great team.”
Stoffel Vandoorne (PEUGEOT 9X8 #93)
“A very strong qualifying session for the team, with both cars in Hyperpole and pole position for the #94. We did a good job today. Personally, I felt comfortable in the first qualifying session, but I wasn’t able to raise my pace in Hyperpole.”
Malthe Jakobsen (PEUGEOT 9X8 #94)
“I’m proud to have secured PEUGEOT’s first pole position in FIA WEC, and it’s also my first in the championship. It didn’t start well with my spin at the top of Raidillon. I had to come back into the pits and it was tight to make it into the top 10, but I made it. In Hyperpole, it was just pure enjoyment driving the PEUGEOT 9X8 in low fuel mode on new tyres.”
