Nicolas Lapierre announces his retirement with immediate effect

It was expected and it is now official: Nicolas lapierre puts away his helmet. The 40-year-old driver had been thinking about what to do next with his career in recent weeks and was considering ending it at the end of this 2024 World Championship season.Endurance of the FIA. The Haut-Savoyard confirmed his retirement this Wednesday, but it takes effect immediately. He will therefore not be at the wheel of theAlpine No. 36 at the 8 Hours of Bahrain on November 2 for the final round of the WEC.

« Aujourd’hui est un jour très important pour moi, car je vous annonce que Fuji était ma dernière course en tant que pilote, explains Nicolas Lapierre in a video posted on his Instagram account.

It's time for me to put my helmet away and close this chapter of my life. It was great to finish this adventure on the podium (3rd in the 6 Hours of Fuji with Mick Schumacher and Matthieu Vaxiviere. Editor’s note) and enjoy the champagne one last time. It was an honor for me to live my passion for so many years, to do what I love the most. All this was made possible by people I want to thank. 

My father, who was my first supporter and who took me to a racetrack karting since I was nine years old. He has always been by my side and it is thanks to him that I was able to start this sport. But also my wife, who supported me in all my challenges. This whole career would never have been possible without the help of Régis Dumange and his family. It was an honor to wear the Plus logo on my helmet. 

I would also like to thank Philippe Sinault and his team, thanks to whom in 2003 I was able to win my first international race, in Macau, for the World Cup. F3. And of course, more recently, the successes known with Alpine. Share the top step of the podium of 24 Hours of Le Mans is a moment that will remain etched in my mind forever. 

I also have a thought for Jean-Paul Driot, who left us too soon, but thanks to him and his team, I was able to win my first victory in GP2, in 2007. Jean-Paul undoubtedly changed me as a man.

UAnother person who played a very important role in my career was obviously Hugues de Chaunac. He introduced me to endurance racing. It was in 2007, the year I first participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I drove in many Oreca cars, and I shared some great moments with them, including our victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2011. 

I also want to thank David Floury. He played a crucial role in my career, but also in my life. In 2015, I was probably at my lowest point sport-wise, very close to the end of my career, and David is the person who got me back on the circuits. 

At the FIA, the ACO, the LMEM teams, I raced most of my career in your championships. It was a pleasure to evolve alongside you. 

To all the members of the teams I have been able to race on, to all the track marshals around the world, and all the fans, thank you.

It’s time to start a new chapter in my life. A new chapter, on the other side of the pit wall. A side of racing that I particularly like, just as much as being a racing driver. So I will never be far away. Thank you all, and see you soon on the circuits. »

This new chapter mentioned by Nicolas Lapierre should be included in a role in the organization chart ofAlpine in the FIA ​​WEC alongside his role as team boss with COOL Racing. For the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the final round of the 2025 season, the Arrowed A should once again call on his reserve Jules Gounon.

 

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