Peugeot 9X8 Aerodynamic Complexity

The sacrifices to have an aerodynamic edge, a double edge sword?

There is a downforce to drag ratio regulation that WEC racing cars must comply with which is 4:1. This means aerodynamic efficiency of all Le Mans Hypercar is limited to that. For not having a rear wing, the Peugeot 9X8 is dependent on ground effect since it is not dependent on rear wing downforce.

Being dependent on ground effect also means that its center of pressure movement will be a lot more complicated to stabilize compared to have a wing. Having a rear wing certainly would provide a much more consistent performance in downforce especially at the back. It could even be used to stabilize the floor's ground effect performance

So where would the wingless wonder fit in all this?

Trying to understand that Peugeot is committed with not having a rear wing would be to depend on ground effect which produces downforce very efficiently. Technically it would have an edge in aerodynamic efficiency which would suite an endurance race such as Le Mans

With that 4:1 ratio downforce to drag ratio regulation limit, this makes it pointless or does Peugeot, theoretically, have something up their sleeves. Center of pressure movement between four wheels makes it all the more complicated to tune the handling with ground effect downforce

The force in ground effect downforce tends to move around a lot between four wheels. Pitch, roll and warp sensitivity is increased, not just through aerodynamic load on each wheel but all its influence on both suspension and tyre height movement which will make it even more sensitive

So where is that edge Peugeot is looking for, sacrificing a more complex set up? It goes back to video done here that theorize Peugeot Sport is trying to take advantage of exhaust gas velocity and this was based on how they designed that rear deck.

If it is superior in achieving this it would definitely challenge the regulation to trick that that 4:1 ratio. This is most likely the case why they have stuck to this design but it looks like the sacrifice outweigh any advantages as the results speak for themselves