Philippe Sinault: “The risks paid off”

By winning the LM P2 Drivers and Teams Trophies at the end of the 6 Hours of Shanghai, Signatech-Alpine brought the logical conclusion to a more than successful season. Four victories (including 24 Hours of Le Mans) and two podiums rewarded the efforts of the trio Stone – Menezes – Richelmi, formed at the start of the year to operate on the A460 no. 36.

A choice of drivers which surprised, Menezes and Richelmi coming from the world of car, but which ultimately paid off for Team Manager Philippe Sinault. “It is true that the risks paid off by seeking out single-seater drivers whose potential I knew, the Frenchman admitted to us in China.

We were criticized for this choice but, today, theEndurance is a sprint to which strategic aspects have been added. Our adversaries have understood this and are acting in this way. The choice of Gustavo Menezes was inflated but after seeing him ride in F3, I understood that this was going to do it. As for Stéphane (Richelmi), he has the natural profile to do Endurance. »

A fair view of the potential of the two recruits, whose performances delighted their more experienced teammate Nicolas Lapierre. “They did an incredible job by seeing the finish of all the races, 66 hours without the slightest error, and by signing four victories... This is the great strength of Philippe who knows how to detect the good drivers. »

Find the report and analysis of the 6 Hours of Shanghai, produced by our special correspondents in China, in issue 2088 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version, and on newsstands.