Philippe Sinault: “Putting Toyota under pressure”

What state of mind are you in a few days before the race?

The 24 Hours of Le Mans are a test that we know well. Even though this is the first time that we are potentially eligible for a very good place overall, we are trying not to put too much pressure on ourselves. We are in working order, concentrated, diligent... stressed, but that goes without saying.

The possibility of recording a major result does not generate any particular impatience or nervousness?

I'm going to tell you no, but we are certainly in denial. We must be clear, this is a very important deadline for us! Human beings have this strength to tell themselves and convince themselves that we should not put too much pressure on ourselves. We have to work the same way we've always done, but it's going to be hard.

Has this possibility of a very good result and the use of an LM P1 encouraged you to modify your preparation compared to previous years?

The form of our work has changed a little. We indeed have new fields and they are larger than what we could have had before. Our processes have remained the same, but they are undoubtedly even more advanced than usual, which means we are even more paranoid! There are some that we had to apprehend during these first three events of the WEC and in particular the main subject that drives us, energy management. It is also a lot of relationships with the ACO and the FIA ​​to effectively manage the BoP stories to arrive at the copy best suited to theAlpine for this test.

“We are in working order, concentrated, diligent… stressed, but that goes without saying. » © DPPI

You have already won Le Mans several times in LM P2, in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Is it enough to apply the same recipes to win with your LM P1 against the Hypercars?

No, because the change of category makes the exercise a little different. In LM P2, out of the twenty cars present, ten could aim for victory. It was a 24-hour sprint during which topics like reliability were not critical themes. These cars had very mastered technologies. We were more focused on sporting strategy. In LM P1, we will apply some of the same recipes, but there are new ingredients to integrate. Given the higher level of technology in our car, reliability has a central aspect. Then, in the field of engineering, test management and energy management, we will have to be reactive. There are more parameters on which we can intervene and we are going to discover some of them.

Do you think you will be ready for this weekend at Le Mans?

We always refrain from thinking so and saying that we are, because this is undoubtedly showing a lack of humility. I prefer to say that we are in working order, but until Saturday 15:59 p.m. of the race, we will be in stress checking one last time a tightening, a balancing or a piece of data...

Three races were contested in the 2021 WEC. Were the three podiums (2nd at SPA, 3rd at Portimao and 2nd at Monza) obtained expected?

These are satisfactory results. Objectively, given the number of competitors on the grid in our category, that was of course the objective. We imposed this on ourselves as a minimum. What I will remember above all is the form which was very positive. Whether it was the drivers or the team, we made no mistakes. We returned three almost perfect copies.

“(Since the start of the season) We have made three almost perfect copies. » © DPPI

However, you were not able to achieve victory. Could this be a concern for Le Mans?

Il ne faut pas oublier qu’en face il y a Toyota ! Nous savions que ce serait compliqué. Nous avions aussi conscience qu’il existe des disparités techniques qui faisaient que la partie ne serait pas facile… et pourtant nous les avons titillés à chaque reprise. Nous avons toujours mené la course. Je ne suis pas certain que Toyota ait joué son va-tout à chaque fois et montré l’ampleur des capacités de sa voiture sur toutes les épreuves. Malgré tout, lorsque l’on regarde les caméras embarquées de leurs pilotes ainsi que certaines erreurs commises, ils ont quand même dû aller au-delà de ce qu’ils avaient imaginé faire.

One of the keys was the number of pit stops?

We are not frustrated. Technologically speaking, we knew that on a relay, we were going to have to stop earlier than them, and therefore more often over the distance of a race. We are trying to improve the situation. Each time we have driven, we have progressed and I think that at Le Mans we will have something which will not only be credible, but which will also allow us to be there, in ambush.

There are multiple tactics at Le Mans between waiting and attacking. In your position, will the best strategy be flexibility?

You have clearly defined the spectrum of choices. It is very wide, but the idea is to put Toyota under pressure throughout the race. Our role is not to play the hare. I don't think we can afford it. We are not the favorites in this event. Being outsiders, we must always stay within range of Toyota.

“I am very proud of what we are presenting technically and sportingly” © DPPI

At Le Mans, what does that mean?

The objective is to stay in the same lap at all times. I credit my team with having this racing intelligence where we will be able to adapt at any time to the facts of the race, to the weather conditions, to the external elements which will not be lacking for 24 hours. To reassure ourselves, we always make a nominal running order table, which we give the day before or just before the event, but 10 minutes after the start it has already changed! Ultimately, it's Le Mans that will decide! I hope we are in the right hat with Toyota to be eligible for victory, hoping that we are the ones drawn.

How do you deal with only having one car?

Easily since our project was sized to have a high-performance car at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Knowing that financially we couldn't have two, there is no frustration. We have made no sporting or technical compromise on our LM P1. I prefer to enter a crew with a very high level and have real chances, rather than having to calculate to have absolutely two on the grid. We are used to this pattern since we have happened to defend the colors ofAlpine in LM P2 with one example and it has often succeeded for us. I am very proud of what we present technically and sportingly. It's really up to par.

What would this mean for Alpine to take first place at Le Mans?

For my company (Signatech. Editor’s note) and for Alpine, it would be fantastic. Our history and our adventure in Endurance for nine years now have been particularly close. We are so in the DNA of the brand, even more so with this project in the premier category. It will then be fertile ground for international exposure and speaking engagements, because we will have this beautiful story to tell.

With what your team has demonstrated in the first three races, what percentage chance do you give yourself for victory?

This question is too hard for me! I can’t answer… ask Toyota the same! (Laughs) The law of numbers is not going to reflect reality. Our opponents (Toyota and Glickenhaus. Ed.) have two cars, we only one. Toyota won the first three events... All this gives us a fairly low rate. I think we all know we have a chance though. I feel it !