Robert Shwartzman hopes to be racing at the sharp end of the FIA World Endurance Championship again in 2027 after joining Team Peugeot TotalEnergies for his return to the Hypercar category.
The Israeli-flagged driver spent the 2026 season on the sidelines after his time with PREMA in IndyCar was cut short. He made headlines by claiming pole position for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 with the Italian outfit, but his programme did not continue in 2026 due to the team’s financial difficulties, leaving him without a seat until Peugeot offered him the opportunity to return to the WEC in ’27.
“I went to IndyCar to prove myself there,” he told DSC. “It was a difficult season, but with an incredible achievement with the Indy 500. The pole position there was something really, really unique, special. I think it’s definitely something that’s gonna stay with me for the rest of my career, my life.
“But at the end of the year, it didn’t work with the team, so we didn’t continue this year. It’s sad for me because I got invested in a project and it didn’t continue.
“But then I received an offer from Peugeot, and for me it was another project I was interested in.”
Shwartzman previously competed in the WEC with Ferrari in 2024 as part of the line-up in AF Corse’s privately funded #83 499P, gaining experience in the Hypercar category and scoring a victory at Austin, though his Le Mans 24 Hours campaign ended in retirement.
That experience, he believes, can help Peugeot as it continues developing the 9X8. The opportunity to contribute directly to the car’s progress was a significant factor in his decision to join the French manufacturer.
“I like the championship. I’ve already done it. I’ve been there, so I know I can bring some experience, some knowledge to it,” he explained. “Plus, there is the evolution of the 9X8, and so I was like, okay, I can help with the team for sure to bring some ideas and some feedback to improve the car.”
The prospect of joining a motivated programme was equally important. Shwartzman said he was encouraged by the team’s determination to improve, with Peugeot’s management outlining its plans and investment in the project during discussions.
Emmanuel Esnault, Peugeot’s team principal, whom Shwartzman already knew from their time at PREMA, was also instrumental in bringing him on board.
“I knew Emmanuel already from PREMA, so we more or less left at a similar time,” Shwartzman said. “He was also very pushy on that for me to join and, you know, I trust him, so I was like, ‘okay, let’s do it.’ I also got to meet Olivier (Jansonnie), and the way they explained the project got me interested. I wanted to be part of it, and here we are.”
Initial testing has provided grounds for optimism. Shwartzman sampled the 2027-spec 9X8 during an endurance test at Portimão, completing approximately three hours behind the wheel after more than a year away from racing machinery. He was also on hand for the brand’s recent test with the car at Silverstone.
Shwartzman was particularly pleased with how quickly he adapted to the Peugeot, saying he felt comfortable quickly, despite his lengthy absence from racing.
“I’m very quick to adapt,” he explained. “Even with the test we’ve done with the 9X8, I haven’t driven a race car at all in more than a year. I jumped in the car on the 15th of September this year in the Peugeot. After like 10 laps, I was the same pace as everybody.”
While his immediate priority is helping Peugeot challenge the established front-runners, Shwartzman has not ruled out further opportunities in sportscar racing alongside his WEC commitments, provided they do not interfere with the factory programme. If given the choice, he would favour a return to LMP2.
For now, however, his focus is firmly on making the Peugeot project a success, aiming to turn his return to endurance racing into an opportunity that gets his career back on track.
“I’m not shutting the door on anyone,” he said of his IndyCar future. “But at the moment, my focus is on Peugeot in the WEC, and my target is to deliver the best results possible. Hopefully things are going to go well, and we’re going to continue, and if the journey is for many years, then I’m happy.
“I feel like with Peugeot I only have things to gain, not to lose.”
Images courtesy of Peugeot/DPPI
