Malthe Jakobsen confirmed to be leaving Peugeot after Monza WEC finale
Peugeot has confirmed the Dane's departure from the programme after two seasons, ahead of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) finale at Monza.
The 23-year-old first joined the French manufacturer in 2023 as a ''Junior Driver'', having impressed in the 2022 WEC Rookie test at Bahrain, where he ended up as the fastest of all rookies, after his European Le Mans Series LMP3 triumph caught Peugeot's attention.
He went on to become the team's official reserve driver in 2024, before graduating to a full-time seat with the team for 2025, alongside veteran Loic Duval and Stoffel Vandoorne in the No.94 9X8, notably achieving a third-place finish at that year's Lone Star Le Mans, in the Circuit of Americas.
He remained in the seat for 2026 and he went on to claim the Peugeot 9X8's maiden Pole Position in the second round of the WEC season at Spa-Francorchamps, before an unlucky incident with an LMGT3 car cost himself and the team another potential podium.
“Racing in Monza this weekend with Team Peugeot TotalEnergies for the final time, is something special after four unbelievable years with this fantastic team'', said Jakobsen via Peugeot's official press release ahead of the 6 Hours of Monza season finale.
''They have made me feel a part of the family from day one at the Rookie test in Bahrain and have been a huge part of my growth as a person and racing driver, from junior to an official WEC driver!''
''This has been an unforgettable chapter of my career, especially competing at Le Mans in the top category for the first time is a phenomenal memory! A big thank you to Peugeot Sport, let’s finish this weekend’s race on a high!"
In total, the Dane has managed to score a total of 40 points during his two seasons with the team, in a period where the 9X8 has not managed to be a consistent points finisher. Still though his performances have been admirable and his progress as a driver too, with everyone in the team noting as such.
Team Principal Emmanuel Esnault said of Jakobsen that ''Everyone in the team has truly appreciated his enthusiasm, commitment and, of course, his performances on track.''
The Frenchman then went on to say: ''A heartfelt thank you to you Malthe! The entire team wishes you all the best for the future. Now it is up to all of us to finish this great journey together with a strong result."
Stellantis' Motorsport Director Olivier Jansonnie, also stated that the team is ''very proud of everything Malthe has achieved with us and of the progress he has made along the way.''
''It has been a privilege to see him grow as a driver and as a member of the team. We sincerely thank him for his commitment, his hard work and everything he has brought to us, and we wish him every success for what comes next. With Monza marking both the final race of the FIA WEC season and Malthe’s last event with the team, we are determined to finish this chapter together on a positive note'', he concluded.
This announcement follows the recent confirmations of reserve driver Alex Quinn and former AF Corse Hypercar driver Robert Shwartzman as joining the team for 2027.
Jakobsen is as of now out of a Hypercar drive for 2027, although he is heavily rumored to be joining McLaren's WEC MCL-HY programme, alongside compatriot and also former Peugeot driver, Mikkel Jensen.
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