Alpine's Rollercoaster Journey at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024
The 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans turned out to be a bittersweet experience for Alpine Endurance Team. Making a highly-anticipated return to the FIA World Endurance Championship's top category, Alpine debuted their new A424 Hypercar amidst high hopes and promising performance indicators. However, the endurance racing marathon quickly unfolded into a tumultuous ride.
Alpine demonstrated potential in the qualifying rounds, with Paul-Loup Chatin securing fourth place and Nicolas Lapierre clinching ninth in a field of twenty-three Hypercars. Their initial performances on Saturday were equally impressive, with the team showing great promise as Charles Milesi and Nicolas Lapierre made a cautious yet strategic start. Despite some challenging visibility issues caused by oil splashes from competitors, the team climbed to impressive positions early on.
The weather added another layer of complexity, as sporadic rain made tyre choices a critical factor. The Alpine team, initially switching to grooved tyres, found themselves dropping out of the Top 10 as the rain wasn't heavy enough to warrant the change. As the race continued, the team faced a series of mechanical challenges, particularly devastating engine failures for both cars. The number 35 Hypercar retired first, followed by number 36, effectively ending Alpine's race prematurely.
Heartbreak and Mechanical Failures
The collapse came starkly at around 8:46 p.m. and 9:36 p.m. respectively for the A424 no. 35 and A424 no. 36. Ferdinand Habsburg was the first to encounter issues, with fire and smoke signaling the end of his race in the Arnage sector. The rapid succession of mechanical failures dealt a devastating blow to the team, dampening the spirits of everyone involved. The team boss, Philippe Sinault, watched helplessly as the efforts and hopes of 72 dedicated team members fell apart so early in the race.
Despite the tears and the wreckage, the silver lining was the display of Alpine's potential. Achieving the Hyperpole and executing strong initial stints highlighted that the technical groundwork and strategic planning were on point, though reliability remained an area for improvement. The disappointing finish brings valuable lessons and renewed focus as they prepare for their next competition.
Looking Forward to the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo
While Le Mans ended in heartbreak, Alpine Endurance Team quickly shifted their focus to the next leg of the FIA World Endurance Championship — the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, scheduled from July 12 to 14, 2024. The upcoming race in Brazil offers a fresh opportunity for redemption and to continue testing the limits of their Hypercar. Although the Le Mans race didn't yield the results they hoped for, the experience and data collected provide a foundation for improved performance and resilience in future races.
- Peugeot, another French manufacturer competing at Le Mans, faced struggles of their own with both their 9X8s ending near the bottom of the ranking. The No. 93 and No. 94 cars were 18th and 19th respectively, unable to keep up with the speed set by Ferrari and others at the front.
- Ferrari's 499P models maintained a strong performance, currently leading the pack, while Porsche and Toyota followed close behind, showcasing a fierce competition at the top. These competitors’ performances added to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.
