Daily Reports
Alpine's 2024 Le Mans Endeavor Ends in Disappointment
In a bittersweet conclusion to their 2024 adventure at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Alpine Endurance Team swiftly transitions to a new chapter with the 6 Hours of São Paulo scheduled for July 14. This season saw Alpine's grand return to the top category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) with their new Hypercar, the A424. The 'Blues' demonstrated their potential early on during Wednesday's qualification rounds, with Paul-Loup Chatin securing a Hyperpole by placing fourth, while Nicolas Lapierre qualified ninth out of twenty-three Hypercars.
Promising Start and Early Setbacks
Saturday's race began under caution, with Charles Milesi and Nicolas Lapierre starting on medium tires amid slight challenges, including poor visibility from oil splashes. Despite these hiccups, the French drivers managed to climb to fourth position in the early stages. However, a light rain necessitated a change to grooved tires which saw the team slip out of the Top 10. The game of catch-up resumed with Paul-Loup Chatin and Mick Schumacher taking extended stints to stay within the leader's lap, before passing the baton to Ferdinand Habsburg and Matthieu Vaxiviere.
Engine Failures and Devastating Outcomes
Unfortunately, at 8:46 pm, Ferdinand Habsburg's No. 35 Hypercar suffered an engine failure, marking the beginning of a series of misfortunes. Nicolas Lapierre's No. 36 encountered a similar fate shortly before 9:36 pm, signaling a premature end to Alpine's race. Despite the team's disappointment, their promising pace at Le Mans provides a glimmer of hope as they prepare for the 6 Hours of São Paulo. The end of Le Mans 2024 didn't just affect Alpine; Peugeot, the other French manufacturer, faced its own struggles, placing at the tail end of the rankings. Both Peugeot's 9X8s were unable to match the frontrunners' pace, with Ferrari taking a commanding lead, followed closely by Porsche and Toyota.
- The 24 Hours of Le Mans remains one of the most grueling and challenging endurance races in the world. Despite the setbacks, the Alpine Endurance Team is determined to learn from this experience and come back stronger. Their next challenge, the 6 Hours of São Paulo, presents an opportunity to leverage the lessons learned at Le Mans.
- As Alpine looks forward to their next race, engineers and drivers are already analyzing data and strategizing to avoid similar setbacks. The team's resilience and fighting spirit are notable and will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their future performances.
