Alpine to Fuji: Maintaining Austin's momentum without burning its wings

Alpine surprised everyone at Lone Star Le Mans, sixth round of the World ChampionshipEndurance disputed on the Austin side (Texas), with a fourth place in Hyperpole and a fifth position in the race. Fifteen days later, the WEC continues in Japan for the 6 Hours of Fuji. With this performance, the French manufacturer hopes to maintain its momentum at the foot of the Japanese volcano.

« The idea is to maintain this dynamic, Philippe Sinault, team principal ofAlpine Endurance Team, in the paddock Thursday. We have analyzed well why we were successful in Austin, it is not the result of chance. It is the materialization of the fact that we master all the elements a little better. There was not a big subject, but several subjects. We are in a curve that is intended to be ascending. It was particularly high in Austin, the idea is to continue to have this upward slope. »

Despite this first top 5 obtained by the A424 in the United States, don't talk about a podium for Philippe Sinault just yet.

« If we set ourselves higher goals, like playing for the podium, every time we make a top 5, we will make mistakes, adds our interlocutor. We are not ready yet, we still have so many things to master. Despite everything, we are starting to have a better knowledge of the tools we have in hand. They allow us to no longer be there at random due to racing events, circuits or the weather. This dynamic was initiated after the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it is the result of a lot of work on the part of everyone. It feels good. »

At Alpine, so it is not yet time to revise the objectives upwards. It's not time yet " assures Sinault.

As on the Austin side, Alpine found a circuit in Japan where the team had not tested. Which had worked out rather well for them in Texas.

« We have not tested it, but we know the circuit and its particularities well, judge the main team ofAlpine. At the beginning of the year, we identified it as a track that would not be easy for us. In particular, the whole sector 3, very twisty, where all the notions of illegal power, traction control, acceleration are crucial. These are points where we have to improve, including on the use of tires. On paper, this is not where we should still be the best, but as we have progressed since Sao Paulo on these subjects, this will or will not be an indicator of progress. »

Sector 3 at Fuji is all the more crucial since a good or bad exit from the last corner then conditions the entire 1,5 kilometre long pit lane.

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