Peugeot will withdraw from the World Rallycross Championship at the end of the 2018 season.
The marque cited that uncertainty surrounding the sport’s switch to electric cars as the reason for leaving the sport. The switch was supposed to happen in 2020 but was postponed to 2021.
Peugeot CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato tweeted:
Peugeot will concentrate its resources on developing these new vehicles and has therefore decided to withdraw from the WRX championship at the end of the 2018 season, whose evolution towards electrification is uncertain.
— Jean-Philippe Imparato (@JPImparato) October 18, 2018
The move shocked Peugeot drivers too. WRC legend Sebastien Loeb’s future in the series is now in doubt. Red Bull athlete and Peugeot driver Kevin Hansen took to social media and tweeted:
My world had been turned upside down this morning. It’s by far the toughest day of my life. I feel really sorry for all my friends at Peugeot Sport, I send all of you all the love I have. Future is now open, lets come back stronger!
Peugeot is out of World Rallycross. pic.twitter.com/GdvJhZkKTP
— KEVIN HANSEN (@kevinhansen71) October 18, 2018