European Le Mans Series - 3 Hours of the Hungaroring - September 13-14, 2013
ONE MORE STEP FOR SIGNATECH ALPINE TO CLIMB- Following a summer break of almost two months, the Alpine A450 will return to the racetrack at the Hungaroring, Hungary, for round four of the 2013 European Le Mans Series.
- Runner-up in the preceding two races, the Signatech Alpine outfit has victory in its sights in Hungary.
- Currently sitting third in the Drivers’ standings, Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues will once again share the N°36 Alpine A450.
After narrowly missing out on the podium at Silverstone and taking the chequered flag in second place in both Italy and Austria, Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues are making no secret of their ambitions as the season prepares to rev back into life: Signatech Alpine is targeting a maiden victory for its Alpine A450.
“The entire team has a burning desire to win,” underlines Signatech Alpine team principal, Philippe Sinault, “and we want to do so in Hungary so that we remain in contention for the title going into our home race at Paul Ricard, in the south of France.”
“We are fully anticipating a demanding race at the Hungaroring,” he continues. “The circuit is distinctive in its layout, with a lot of chicanes and whilst some of the kerbs are to be avoided at all costs, others can gain you time. Our technical team has worked tremendously hard to adapt the Alpine A450, since downforce plays a greater role at the Hungaroring than at any other circuit visited by the championship. All of the suspension geometry has been adjusted in order to minimise tyre wear caused by the heat and track surface. Free practice will be vital to prepare for what will be the most important qualifying session of the season. Around a circuit at which it is so famously difficult to overtake, it will be crucial to start up at the sharp end of the grid, particularly as the rounds to-date have confirmed that these are very high-calibre sprints – both on the track and in the pits.”
For Nelson Panciatici, the Hungaroring is unique: “When I used to race in single-seaters, I competed there every year. Physically, you need to make sure you’re absolutely at the top of your game, because sometimes the heat can be almost suffocating. We are determined to win to reward all of our supporters. To twice finish second has been very positive, but we need to shift the goalposts again now.”
Pierre Ragues, who ascended the podium in Hungary in the Le Mans Series in 2010, adds: “The title is achievable, and we must continue to believe in it! Mathematically, we are still in the reckoning. We need to target a maximum points haul with both pole position and victory at the Hungaroring. We have learnt a lot over the summer in terms of how to get the best out of the tyres in high temperatures – and now we need to draw upon all of that experience to step up to the next level!”
Alpine’s junior driver Paul-Loup Chatin will take part in the race competing in the LMPC class.
Twenty-five cars are slated to take the start of this fourth outing of the campaign. Nine of those will compete in the LMP2 class. The race forms part of the World Series by Renault bill.
Timetable:
Friday, September 13
11.00 – Free practice 1 (60 minutes)
15.40 – Free practice 2 (60 minutes)
Saturday, September 14
10.05 – LMP2 & LMPC Qualifying (20 minutes)
16.00 – Race (3 hours)
