Philippe Sinault: « discussions are ongoing »
At the dawn of the qualifying session for the 8 Hours of Bahrain, Philippe Sinault opened up to Motors Inside, in this final race for Alpine in LMP2. He also discusses the progress of preparations for 2024.
For Alpine, the transition from LMP2 to Hypercar has not been the most satisfying among the troops. The team manager of Signatech, in charge of the Alpine program, Philippe Sinault, may not necessarily have fond memories of this 2023 season.
Only one podium was achieved, at Monza, with car number 36 (Canal/Vaxivière/Milesi), and that very same car made an exceptional comeback to fourth place, even being in contention for the victory for a while at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“It’s inevitably a mixed season, because when you’re called Alpine, you always have ambition,” adds Philippe Sinault. “We have fallen short of what we could have shown. So we will have to conclude in the best possible way, confirming the positive momentum we have started since Le Mans.”
What was missing for #35 and #36 this season? The pace on a fast lap. In endurance, pole position is not a sure thing, but with such a close field in LMP2, it is important to be able to secure a good position on the grid. Even if the race pace is good. However, an eight-hour race makes the position after qualifying relative.
The first free practice sessions saw rain delaying work on the race pace, which could be done in the second session. The third one, for which we will provide you with a report, was done rather discreetly.
Thus, these 8 Hours of Bahrain will be an opportunity to close the chapter in style, rather than preparing for the entry into the Hypercar category.
« The premiere category will offer a drastically different challenge from that of the LMP2. The driving is not the same, the level is not the same, and above all, there will be the hybrid to manage. »
« I am proud of the drivers »
Regardless of the outcome of these 8 Hours of Bahrain, no one can completely conceal the excitement surrounding Alpine’s arrival in the Hypercar category next year.
Some of the drivers from No. 35 and No. 36 were able to test the A424, after going through a season that wasn’t necessarily easy considering the ambitions. They all remained committed, despite difficult moments, and I can only thank them for the work that has been done and that still needs to be done. They are not here by chance and I am proud of the drivers, Philippe Sinault smiled.
Mick Schumacher, for example, was able to test the Hypercar in Jerez, discovering a totally different world from that of Formula 1. And it was not displeasing to the boss of Signatech. « I didn’t know Mick at all and it was a very nice experience, he is a very open-minded guy. We did this test, not for performance, but to see if endurance racing could appeal to him. »
However, the choice of drivers is still to be determined and no information has really materialized at the moment. But they will have to be carefully chosen, as facing all the numerous manufacturers in the Hypercar category will not be an easy task. And it will be a great honor and a great achievement to participate in this new golden age, Philippe Sinault concludes.
