Le Mans: A night full of emotions for Signatech Alpine Matmut

Le Mans:  A night full of emotions for Signatech Alpine Matmut

As night turns to day at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Alpine A470 is third in the LMP2 category.
With eight hours to go, Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão and Pierre Thiriet remain focused on a podium finish.

As fascinating as it is feared, the 24 Hours of Le Mans evening action saw a multitude of racing incidents and cascading twists and turns.

The Alpine A470 had its share of drama. Following an electrical short, provoking a stop for Nicolas Lapierre on track for some 15 seconds, the n°36 car had to make a stop to change the nose section damaged by a piece of exhaust pipe from a car that went off circuit.

As the hours ticked off, the multiple ‘‘slow zones’’ didn’t work in the French squad’s favour. Second in class at half-distance, the crew dropped to third in hour 13.

In the early hours of Sunday, more time was lost due to a Hans issue for Nicolas Lapierre, just when he was taking over from André Negrão. Just before the end of his stint, the Frenchman also had minor contact requiring another replacement of the front-end bodywork. 

After 16 hours, the Alpine A470 is third in LMP2 at less than two minutes to the second place car. Determined and combative, the drivers are ready to take advantage of any opportunity!

Quotes
Philippe Sinault, Team principal Signatech Alpine Matmut

“The evening was quite animated with the electrical short when Nico was in the car, the piece of exhaust pipe that damaged the bodywork and especially the numerous “slow zones”. We’ve been very unlucky and it has cost us precious time. Anyway, that is racing and there is nothing we can do about it. Given the gaps, we are now playing the waiting game. You have to stay focused just until the finish, which is still eight hours from now. " 


 


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