Rumours of Peugeot making a return to the LMP1 category have been dealt a blow, after the French manufactuer announced its commitment to World Rallycross in 2018 and beyond.
Peugeot will continue to compete with Hansen Motorsports in WRX next year with nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb.
The company also pledged to support the growth of electrified rallycross in line with its global business interests.
The winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992, 1993 and 2009 had been mooted for an entry to the World Endurance Championship following Porsche's exit at the end of this year that left Toyota as the only manufacturer.
"The brand wants to be involved in a new challenge with the idea of accompanying its own energy transition but also to create a strong and unique link with new customers and the new generation," said Peugeot brand chief executive Jean-Philippe Imperato.
"The brand is ready to support the evolutions in E-WRX as part of its technological plan, which aims to offer 80% of the models in electrified version by 2023."
Peugeot's display of commitment to the future of rallycross prompted an immediate reply from Le Mans organiser the Autobomile Club de l'Ouest, which had included company bosses in talks to create the new set of LMP1 regulations for 2020.
An ACO statement said: “The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has learned of Peugeot’s decision to intensify its programme in a series other than endurance."
"We can only accept it and fix an appointment with them in the years to come to prove to them the interest of our branch of motor sport, and the validity of the direction taken in endurance in the areas of cost capping and technology, which other manufacturers and other teams working alongside us will prove to them."
Toyota is yet to officially confirm its LMP1 presence next season, but the Japanese constructor previously made a verbal agreement to run until the end of 2019.
Next year's WEC could be helped by a rise in privateer entries, with Ginetta announcing its first three chassis sales and the ByKolles and BR Engineering projects being spotted testing recently.
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