The pilots Alpine “disappointed” by the outcome of the season… but ready for the future in LMDh

Nicolas lapierre

What do you remember from this last race of the season with Alpine, in Bahrain?

Nicolas lapierre : It was a long race and we suffered. They (Toyota. Editor's note) were better than us in all areas, in top speed, in autonomy, in traffic. We knew we weren't favorites coming here, and there was nothing we could do. In addition, they have success on their side by benefiting from a Full Course Yellow from the start. The race was already over. The logic is respected. They had to win this race, they had to win this championship and they deserve it. What's frustrating is the way. The team did what they had to and what they could. We must be happy with this second place in the championship, which remains a good result, even if we are disappointed. We are competitors and our goal was to win. »

You have had a season with highs (Sebring, Monza) and lows (Le Mans), what do you remember first?

The team has progressed well and gained in maturity. She is ready for this new program and this new challenge that awaits her in 2024. These two seasons were more of a preparation for the future. We are nevertheless disappointed to lose this title which we would have liked to win. Overall, the season is positive. We must remember that we operated at a much higher level than last year and which should allow the team to see podiums in LMDh.

Is it more of a disappointment not to have won the title or not to have been able to defend your chance?

The disappointment is not winning the title, the frustration is not having been able to defend our chances. The logic is respected and Toyota deserves its victory. They had a great race and a great championship, well done to them.

Matthieu Vaxiviere

What is your assessment of these 8 Hours of Bahrain?

Matthieu Vaxiviere: (He thinks) I'm going to remember the positive. We had a great race, without any pitfalls on our side, with a good pace compared to the package we had. There is disappointment, despite everything. We would have liked to fight closer with them (Toyota. Editor’s note) on the track. Everyone saw that there was no battle. It's like that.

And the results of your full season?

Positive, except that two without three doesn't work for victories (laughs). With the package we had and compared to last year when we discovered all this, we can only draw positives from this season. We finish on a good note again with this podium and the reliability that is there. We just didn't have the rhythm.

Comments collected by Valentin Glo

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