Latest news with #AlpineEnduranceTeam
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alpine 'struggling to understand' its issues after Le Mans practice
After a very promising test day, Wednesday turned out to be a mixed bag for Alpine. Reliability is no longer a concern at the French outfit and both A424s secured their spots in the Hyperpole 1 session after the first round of qualifying. However, behind the scenes, some head-scratching is going on. When the LMDh prototype hit the track again early Wednesday afternoon, both driver crews were surprised not to find the same performance level they had shown just three days earlier. Advertisement "It wasn't smooth," Frédéric Makowiecki, teammate to Mick Schumacher and Jules Gounon in the #36, told "There are a few things we're struggling to understand. Is it the temperature? Is it the evolution of the track? We're not where we thought – and should – be. It's up to us to analyse the situation, but time is short." Alpine did make "some changes" to the car's setup, but the team clearly expected a different outcome from those adjustments. Alpine can't afford any mistakes if it hopes for a good result at Le Mans Alpine can't afford any mistakes if it hopes for a good result at Le Mans "We weren't too happy with some behaviours, especially when it came to bumps," Makowiecki added. Advertisement "We tried to improve that, and strangely, it's not giving us the results we expected, even though it's something that had worked previously in different contexts. We need to dive into the data, dig deeper, and figure out if maybe the conditions have thrown us off in how we're interpreting things." This second appearance at Le Mans with the A424 is a crucial one for the French team, which is led in endurance by Philippe Sinault. While Alpine now has a far better understanding of its car, it's clear the prototype hasn't yet revealed all its secrets in such specific conditions. Asked by what the team had learned over the past year, Sinault listed several layers of progress: "It's everything — the setup, tyre knowledge, software management, all the sensors, the traction control... 'We've done a lot of simulations and adapted the baseline package with the data we had.' No room for error #36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Mick Schumacher, Frederic Makowiecki, Jules Gounon #36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Mick Schumacher, Frederic Makowiecki, Jules Gounon Between free practice and the evolved Hyperpole format, there's little to be learned outside of raw single-lap pace until race day. During test day, Alpine had made a strong impression on long runs - but doubt began to creep in again on Wednesday. Advertisement "It's been tricky because from the start of the week, a lot of teams have been focused on qualifying, which now carries a bit more weight,' Makowiecki said when asked about the expected hierarchy. 'So, it's hard to judge. "We clearly had strong long runs during Test Day, and now we don't. Overall, we're missing a bit of performance, so we need to get back to what we know we can do." With Thursday marking the final opportunity to refine their setup, the focus now turns fully to race preparation – and the team already knows what will make the difference. "It'll be the team that makes the fewest mistakes that comes out on top," said Sinault. Advertisement Read Also: Le Mans 24 Hours: Toyota tops second practice after Kubica Ferrari loses best time Le Mans 24 Hours: Cadillac sets blistering pace in opening practice to head Ferrari "There are so many chances to slip up — even more so these past two years with the level of competition and the gaps involved. The smallest mistake, a penalty, and it can completely change the course of the race. 'We can't afford errors — and above all, we must stay on the lead lap." To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alpine confirms WEC driver line-up
Alpine Endurance Team has formally announced the full roster of drivers that will contest the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship aboard its pair of Hypercar class A424s. The No. 35 A424 will feature Paul-Loup Chatin, Charles Milesi and Ferdinand Habsburg, who all return after competing with the team in 2024. The sister No. 36 car will be shared by returnee Mick Schumacher, Jules Gounon — who has been promoted after a successful reserve role — and Frédéric Makowiecki, who moves to Alpine after spending the past two seasons with Porsche Penske Motorsport. Team boss Philippe Sinault has high expectations for both Gounon and Makoweicki in their first season as full-time Alpine factory Hypercar drivers. 'Jules has continued his integration through his role as a reverse driver and has met our expectations,' he said. 'Last year, Jules was almost a regular starter, as he contested half the season. 'The potential was there, and we knew that his GT experience would bring a lot to our Hypercar project from a technical point of view. That was the case, so we were keen to promote him to the race team to build on what we set out to do a year ago. 'And the arrival of Frédéric Makowiecki is a real plus. His presence will give us the benefit of his vast experience, as well as his racing and technical credentials. He is known for his pertinence, analysis insight, situational intelligence, and technical understanding of the car. 'His mindset and character mirror our project. His personality makes you want to work with him. He likes to share and exchange ideas while remaining extremely demanding. His contribution will help us improve, and we are sure he will fit in well with our team and help us achieve our common goal.' The pair of new full-timers replace Nicolas Lapierre — who has stepped back from driving to take on the role of sporting director — and Matthieu Vaxiviere, who has been assigned the role of reserve driver for 2025. Story originally appeared on Racer
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Alpine reveals 2025 WEC Hypercar livery
Alpine Endurance Team has revealed the livery that its Signatech-run factory A424 Hypercars will sport during the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season. After an encouraging first season with the A424 in 2024, in which it claimed fourth in the WEC manufacturers' championship standings and a podium at Fuji, the team is gearing up for a new campaign with high hopes. Confirmation of its driver roster for the year is expected on Feb. 5. Story originally appeared on Racer
