Nicolas Lapierre becomes sporting director of Alpine endurance
He will not have remained unemployed for long. Nicolas Lapierre, just a few hours after announcing his retirement from sports, announced that he was becoming the sporting director of Alpine.
A new adventure. But still with Alpine. At the beginning of this week, Nicolas Lapierre announced that the 6 Hours of Fuji was his last race as a driver. However, the Frenchman did not wish to retire for good.
Alpine, the team for which he was driving, indicated that he was going to take on a new position within the team. He will now assist Philippe Sinault, thanks to his new role as sports director, in order to improve the overall performance of the drivers and the team, the team specified in a statement.
Starting work in January
Nicolas Lapierre will officially take up this position on January 1st, but will take advantage of the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the final round of the World Endurance Championship season, to familiarize himself with his new responsibilities.
« Alpine has always shown a lot of confidence in me, giving me the opportunity to develop the A424, and then start this first season at its wheel. After expressing the wish to end my career as a professional driver, I am delighted to confirm that I am continuing the adventure with the team, but this time on the other side of the pit wall. I will try to bring all my experience to our drivers and to facilitate the connection with our technical teams, rejoices the now former driver.
Jules Gounon back
« For several months now, we have been discussing this perspective together which, for me, in addition to the shared desire, represents a real logic, a natural continuation of the rich journey we have undertaken together in recent years and notably under the Alpine colors », finally reveals <a href="/wec/actualite/34778-un-podium-arrive-plus-vite-que-prevu-alpine-fuji.html" title="Alpine's podium arrived sooner than expected at Fuji.
"Philippe SInault who had been quite vague a few days ago about possible movements in his structure."
This announcement and Nicolas Lapierre's hasty departure from his driver status have an impact on the line-up. In Bahrain, Jules Gounon will take part in the race to replace his compatriot. It will be his fourth race of the season after Imola, Spa, and Fuji.
