Alpine celebrates its return to motor racing with victory at the 3 Hours of the Hungaroring, round four of the 2013 European Le Mans Series.
- The maiden win in Hungary for the Alpine A450 shared by Pierre Ragues and Nelson Panciatici came 35 years after the make’s landmark victory with the Alpine A442b at the 1978 Le Mans 24 Hours in the hands of Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud.
- Signatech-Alpine shares the provisional lead in the 2013 European Le Mans Series with one round remaining (Paul Ricard, France, September 27-28).
Since last year’s announcement (November 5, 2012) of the Alpine brand’s revival with the creation of Société des Automobiles Alpine-Caterham, the bid to put the make gradually back in the limelight included an enduring racing programme for Signatech-Alpine.
The Alpine A450 programme was launched just 190 days ago, yet it has already harvested its first major success. After a polished showing at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, plus two top-three finishes in the 2013 European Le Mans Series (in Italy and Austria), the brand returned to the highest step of the podium today in Hungary.
After securing third place in qualifying at the Hungaroring, near Budapest, Pierre Ragues got away to a cautious start before gradually putting pressure on his rivals. He eased into the lead just four laps into the race and then started to build up an enviable cushion over his chasers. The Alpine A450 improved the fastest race lap several times as the initially wet track started to dry out. The car was then fitted with slick tyres at the end of the first hour when Pierre handed the wheel to his team-mate. Nelson Panciatici took advantage of the team’s comfortable lead to control from in front and eventually notch up the Alpine A450’s maiden race win.
“We announced our return to motorsport on March 8,” recalls Bernard Ollivier, CEO of Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham. “Just seven months into the programme, we have already met our first objective with this victory. We always knew it was going to be a crazy challenge, but the make’s founder Jean Rédélé had a habit of turning ordinary people into extraordinary people. Following his example, we made the impossible possible. Our sights are now firmly focused on the last race of the season at Paul Ricard, France, where the action promises to be exceptionally exciting!”
After enjoying the taste of victory once more, Signatech-Alpine’s Team Principal Philippe Sinault commented: “The team really wanted this win. Everybody worked so hard to accomplish our first goal which was victory, and winning with panache is something that is dialled into Alpine’s DNA. Our strategy paid dividends. We chose rain tyres for the start, even though the track was drying. The overall package was very competitive and our drivers felt confident. Hearing them say that the car was easy to drive was the best reward I could imagine! The last round at Le Castellet won’t be simple, but we will do everything in our power to rise to the challenge successfully!”
Pierre Ragues produced a faultless run during the early part of the race. That laid the foundations for his first ever win in endurance racing: “It didn’t take me long to feel comfortable with the Alpine A450 in race trim and I was able to up my pace little by little. The car was such fun to drive and our strategy of starting on rain tyres before switching to slicks at the ideal moment proved perfect. The team coped with the conditions extremely well. The end of the race was quite nerve-wracking, but I had every confidence in Nelson. I am so proud to have won with Alpine today!”
“I’ve been waiting for this moment so long,” added Nelson Panciatici. “I was very careful in the traffic and didn’t take any risks. I am delighted for the team. This is my first win in endurance racing, and also my first with Signature. Whenever I take part in a race, my aim is to be first across the line. Now, my goal is to win my home race at Le Castellet…”
Alpine’s ‘Junior’ driver Paul-Loup Chatin rounded off the team’s successful day with a third straight success in the LM PC class to extend his lead in the championship standings.
3 Hours of the Hungaroring1, Signatech Alpine (Ragues / Panciatici), 99 laps2, Murphy Prototypes (Hartley / Hirschi), +38.268s3, Jota Sport (Dolan / Turvey), +1 lap4, SMP Racing (Mediani / Zlobin), +3 laps5, Morand Racing (Gachnang / Klien), +4 laps. Etc.
European Le Mans Series standings – Teams1, Signatech Alpine and Thiriet by TDS Racing (73 points)3, Jota Sport (55 points)4, Race Performance and Morand Racing (40 points). Etc.
European Le Mans Series standings – Drivers1, Nelson Panciatici, Pierre Ragues and Pierre Thiriet (73 points)3, Mathias Beche (58 points)4, Oliver Turvey and Simon Dolan (55 points)5, Jonathan Hirschi (44 points). Etc.
