Philippe Sinault: “ Alpine is an outsider and remains an outsider”

Philippe, what is the state of mind of the team a few minutes before the start?

It's good because above all we have a race to do and we are very motivated. We are fighters. It is good above all because basically our status has not changed, we are outsiders and we remain outsiders, and on a regular basis a victory here would have been difficult anyway. We will first have to be irreproachable, which we will try to do, and see how others behave and what they do. A good result will come from there.

Alpine A480 © Germain Hazard / DPPI

Your drivers seem to have replaced yesterday's disappointment with increased motivation.

Yes clearly. The pre-race briefing was a great moment of sharing and we are all in sync. This actually gave us extra energy, as much as we needed it and we are very clear in our heads. There's no point in arguing. We have a race, and what a race, to do and we must concentrate on our real subject which is “why we are here”.

The Richard Mille Racing Team, which you cover, has had a very good run since Sunday. Is that a source of pride?

The first two races of the year were a bit difficult because you can't invent a team, especially a team of drivers. I felt that a real step had been taken this week, that's the magic of Le Mans. There is a great dynamic which results in a superb performance in qualifying with 7th place obtained by Charles Milesi. Afterwards in P2 you really have to get through the obstacles because it's going to be a battle of the ragpickers! The instruction is not to overplay, to do what they have learned to do and which they do very well. Charles, at only 21 years old, is already an experienced pilot who has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year in LMP2. It's a chance to have him with us. We will have to manage the tires well and go to the end while avoiding any problems because there will be some... 

Charles Milesi, Lilou Wadoux and Sébastien Ogier © Thomas Fenetre / DPPI

Alongside Charles, a fairly atypical duo of beginners with Lilou Wadoux and Sébastien Ogier!

It's true that this crew may seem quite exotic based on their profiles, but it's going incredibly well! Lilou, who is the least experienced, is so clear in her head that she even brings us a form of serenity, which is quite incredible. Sébastien is so rigorous, professional, he doesn't give up and has limitless determination. With Charles, this trio works really well and in the end, in addition to the work of the team, things are managed more between them, very naturally and simply.

ALSO READ > Lilou Wadoux: “Finish the race and have fun”

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