Peugeot's 2022 Le Mans drivers include ex-F1 racer Magnussen

Peugeot's seven-strong driver line-up for its return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2022 will include former Formula 1 racers Kevin Magnussen and Paul di Resta.

Double Formula E champion (and ex-F1 driver) Jean-Éric Vergne, former Le Mans winner and World Endurance champion Loïc Duval, Le Mans LMP2 class winner Gustavo Menezes and rising sports car star Mikkel Jensen have also been named.

Brit James Rossiter will serve as reserve and simulator driver.

The French firm is currently developing a 670bhp hybrid prototype for the new Le Mans Hypercar class and will compete in the 24-hour endurance classic and the full FIA World Endurance Championship next year. The machine will use a 2.6-litre twin-turbo V6 mated to a front-mounted electric motor.

The seven racers will aid the machine’s development alongside their other racing commitments this year. Peugeot says they will “contribute actively” to the hypercar’s development, likely through simulator work, with on-track testing due to start later this year.

“We looked at all the endurance championships that have been organisers over the past five years,” said technical director Olivier Jansonnie. “We examined the speed, consistency and reliability of a long list of drivers because we are looking for a line-up that meshes together well, with an eclectic mix of upcoming youngsters and experienced campaigners.”

The most notable signing is Danish racer Magnussen, 28, who was dropped by the Haas F1 team at the end of last season. He's currently racing a Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac prototype in the American IMSA sports car championship.

Scot di Resta, 34, raced in 59 F1 grands prix with Force India and has recently competed in the LMP2 division of the WEC, including a class win at Le Mans last year.

Duval, 38, drove in the works Peugeot team when the squad last competed at Le Mans. The Frenchman has also been a long-time Audi works driver, and won Le Mans with the German squad in 2013.