In Qatar, Alpine doesn't want to get the wrong goal

Alpine doesn't want to rush. Back in the Hypercar category with a new prototype, the A424, the A fléché cautiously approaches its first meeting of the year.

« We are enthusiastic on the one hand, because we are here and this is what we expected, explains Philippe Sinault, main team ofAlpine Endurance team. We will be able to perform the play we rehearsed, but we will treat Qatar more as a dress rehearsal. We really need to finish the race. »

On the route of the Losail international circuit (Qatar), Alpine above all wishes to store experience and data for the rest of its program.

« From the moment we saw that this race was a 10 hour event, we knew that it was not the easiest for us, adds Sinault. If we come out of this unscathed and finish with both cars, we will have learned a lot of lessons to be ready for what comes next. »

It is therefore without any other expectation than reaching the checkered flag that the two A424s will present themselves on the starting grid for the 1812 km of Qatar, this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (local time, 9:00 a.m. in France). They will start from 14th and 17th places.

« You must not misunderstand your objective. Like I said, this one is to end. We must not jeopardize the rest. Not necessarily the reliability, but the procedures, the team, etc. We can't be in overdrive. We want to be where we need to be.

The format of the test constrains us much more than what we were able to experience in development where we took the time to think, to face the subjects...

If the procedures were not well established, this had little or no impact. We must make the best possible copy at team level and not make any mistakes on the drivers' side. We will then have enough data to progress further. »

With the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 15-16) in focus.

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