Pressiteade
Under a blazing sun, Matthieu Vaxiviere and OlliCaldwell launched the team's programme in the first free practice session.Together with their teammates, the aim was to fine-tune the set-up, check thedifferent systems and run in the mechanical and electronic components of thetwo Alpine A470s entered in the LMP2 category.
Despite a slight setback when the British drivertripped up the final set of turns, the n°35 quickly restarted, thanks to thelightning intervention of the mechanics before a lengthy red flag period.Although not looking for pure performance, work accelerated in the final hourto complete a session in which the n°36 was the fourth quickest.
Two hours later, the temperature and tensionrose a few notches in qualifying with an exceptionally nervous field. The taskfell to André Negrão and Matthieu Vaxiviere, who were patient in their effortsto post a safe time before resuming their battle against the clock in the finalsprint. However, both had to deal with traffic and numerous slow zones thatpenalised each of their endeavours. To make matters worse: Matthieu Vaxiviere'sfastest time was deleted after a ruling that found him responsible for anincident with the #22 United Autosports car, which slightly damaged the flatbottom before its first flying lap.
Forced to settle for positions far down - 19thfor the #35 and 23rd for the #36 - the team switched its focus to the rest ofits programme. The crews made the most of the opening night session to gettheir bearings in complete darkness, particularly Olli Caldwell, who completedthe compulsory five night laps for all rookies.
On Thursday, the team concentrated on findingthe best race set-up in uniquely hot conditions while focusing on the longstints. Alpine re-entered the top ten in this constructive session before thefinal one-hour session. One last time, André Negrão, Memo Rojas and OlliCaldwell in the #35 car took turns behind the wheel to validate their finaladjustments, as did Matthieu Vaxiviere, Charles Milesi and Julien Canal in the#36 A470.
After this busy programme, this Friday, Alpinewill reveal its Hypercar, which will compete in the premier category of the FIAEndurance World Championship from 2024, in the brand new Alpine Paddock Centre.On the heels of this major event, the drivers will meet a huge crowd during theparade through the Le Mans town centre, ahead of other festivities celebratingthe event's centenary.
The on-track action resumes at noon on Saturdaywith a short warm-up session, just four hours before the start of the 91st 24Hours of Le Mans.
QUOTES
André Negrão
"Qualifying was fairlytricky with a lot of interruptions. It was a struggle to find a clear lap to puteverything together, and we couldn’t extract the full potential of our car.However, we've done a good job preparing for this long race where anything canhappen, especially from a weather standpoint with a lot of rain forecast aroundthe start, which will certainly create plenty of opportunities."
Olli Caldwell
"It's an amazing track,even more so at night, as I've discovered over the past two days. Driving atover 300 kph in total darkness is both strange and awesome. We've made smallimprovements to get the car to the competitive level we want for the race. Theaim will be to avoid problems, penalties and damage throughout the 24 hours tomake up positions and get a good result at the finish."
Memo Rojas
"The week got off to aslow start, despite some fine form last Sunday. We're working extremely hardwith the team to find ever better performance and pace, but we're mindful thatmany other parameters come into play in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's a longrace, and the weather could make it even more challenging. It promises to be agreat centenary race, and we'll aim to excel."
Matthieu Vaxiviere
"There was a lot offrustration after qualifying, particularly because we'd been in the top half ofthe field since Sunday. Clearly, we were unlucky, but the most important thingis the race at Le Mans. During the free practice sessions, we focused onfinding a comfortable car and more composure to see what we can do in whatpromises to be a highly animated 24 hours."
Charles Milesi
"The weather forecastis for mixed conditions at the start, so the aim will be to avoid takingunnecessary risks while gaining places in the early laps. It will be a newexperience if it’s wet, but I'm up for the challenge. Above all, we'll have tomanage the transitions between dry and wet conditions. If we don't make anymistakes, I think we still have a chance to get a good result."
Julien Canal
"Free practice got offto a pretty good start despite the car being a little too responsive, but wemade small adjustments to our set-up to be more comfortable over the length ofthe race. That's positive, but we still have some work to do. Anything ispossible if we perform well in conditions that can reshuffle the hierarchy. We can't wait for the start of the race."
Philippe Sinault, AlpineElf Endurance Team Principal
"The week got off to agood start, but qualifying was very frustrating. The misunderstanding betweenMatthieu and Filipe Albuquerque cost us dearly, with a red flag setting a badtrend as our two cars were on the same strategy. Our backs were against the wall,and we still hadn't set any representative times as the final sprintapproached. With these tyres, the fastest time is set on the first attempt, anda few infringements of the track limits didn't help our cause, as did thesanction of Matthieu's best time being cancelled. It's all the more gallingthat the result doesn't reflect our performance level since we arrived in LeMans. We, therefore, devoted all the other sessions to preparing for the race.If there's one race where something can happen, it's the 24 Hours of Le Mans.Our drivers are veterans, as is the team, and the race promises to belong, given that the field has beennervous since the start of the week. We'll have to be careful, and beimpeccable to seize the slightest opportunity, no matter the weatherconditions."
CLASSIFICATIONS
Free practice 1
4. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°36 3:36.471s (33 laps)
22. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°35 3’40.411s (27laps)
Qualifying
19. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°35 3:37.498s (12laps)
23. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°36 3:59.171s (12laps)
Free practice 2
10. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°36 3:39.450s (32laps)
18. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°35 3:41.018s (28laps)
Free practice 3
15. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°36 3:38.170s (42laps)
24. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°35 3:39.921s (39laps)
Free practice 4
15. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°36 3:38.972s (16laps)
24. Alpine Elf Endurance Team n°35 3:43.623s (14laps)
ABOUT ALPINE
Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, the brand has setitself apart with its French-style sports cars. In 2018, the brand presentedthe new A110, a sports car faithful to Alpine's timeless principles ofcompactness, lightness, agility and driving pleasure. The Alpine Business Unitwas created in 2021 and thus became the brand dedicated to innovative,authentic, exclusive sportscars of the Renault Group, benefiting from theheritage and craftsmanship of its historic plant in Dieppe and the AlpineRacing and Alpine Cars teams engineering mastery.
PRESS CONTACTS
Orianne TAMBURINI
Head of product communication Alpine
orianne.tamburini@alpinecars.com
+33(0)6 26 63 28 14
IndiaDE LA FRESSANGE
Press Officer Motorsport
india.deseignarddelafressange@fr.alpineracing.com
+33 (0)6 34 48 51 31
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