Alpine will have to show a different side at Interlagos
The World Endurance Championship is resuming. This Sunday, July 14, the teams are meeting at Interlagos. In Brazil, Alpine will have to solve its reliability issues.
We left them with their heads down. With two cars loaded onto the trucks much earlier than expected. At Le Mans, both Alpines had to throw in the towel due to engine problems. The two Mecachrome engines gave up the ghost 45 minutes apart. A very sad outcome for the French team that had the pace to achieve a good result.
Bruno Famin’s team may have the opportunity to prove its level of performance at Interlagos. Alpine will be driving for the first time on this twisty track. Here, engine power is crucial in the first and last sectors. One of the strengths of the A424. But it will still have to hold up.
Beyond the performance aspect, Alpine will be able to count on Mick Schumacher’s experience on this track. The German has already driven there in F1. Nicolas Lapierre won there in 2012 and Matthieu Vaxivière has already completed several races here in Brazil.
« There is always enthusiasm in discovering a new playground, even more so on a legendary track and in a country so passionate about motor racing. Interlagos is an old-fashioned circuit, very different from those we have experienced this season », analyzes Philippe Sinault, the team manager.
Shine on July 14th
« Among the challenges, the elevation changes mean that the car is rarely straight in the braking zones. Drivers brake a lot in support, so it will be crucial that they are comfortable with the balance of the car. The re-accelerations with the numerous cambers and climbs also look very interesting. The layout tests the tires, especially the right rear one. »
But Interlagos is also known for its unstable climate. The weather is expected to be generally overcast, with even some possible showers during the weekend. But no matter the weather, Philippe Sinault and his team will be eager to make up for the mistake at Le Mans.
The weather there always seems a bit uncertain, so we will do everything to be prepared for any eventuality. We can’t wait to be there to regain our good dynamics and confirm our potential after the meeting in Le Mans. We believe we have identified our problems and implemented a number of corrective actions. We know our package much better, we have worked a lot beforehand, and we are clearly determined to do well, especially this weekend of July 14th.
