aprile 27, 2022 - Alpine Matmut
Alpine Endurance Team: the ideal driver line-up
Comunicato Stampa disponibile solo in lingua originale.
The fiercely competitive arena of the FIA World #endurance Championship (FIA WEC) clearly requires a trio of dependable drivers who are not only fast but who also mesh together perfectly. Alpine Elf #endurance Team General Manager #philippesinault talks about this delicate alchemy and why he selected #nicolaslapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere and André Negrão, outright winners of the calendar’s opener in Sebring, Florida.
The Le Mans 24 Hours’ innumerable legends include rare cases of heroes who triumphed in the French classic after spending more than 23 hours behind the wheel. Like Luigi Chinetti in 1949 and Louis Rosier in 1950. Nowadays, individual performances of the sort are simply inconceivable given the pace of endurances races which practically matches that of sprints. It is consequently vital to be able to count on a trio of drivers who combine speed with an ability to function together in complete harmony.
In endurance #racing, the same car is shared by three drivers. Having a crew that bonds perfectly is a fundamental part of the performance equation.
Philippe Sinault, Alpine Elf #endurance Team General Manager
The team first and foremost
This mix is not an automatic ask of drivers who cut their teeth in the ruthless world of single-seaters where putting oneself first has long been the prevalent attitude. “The approach required to succeed in #endurance #racing is effectively different to that associated with single-seaters where drivers are groomed to be self-centred,” observes #philippesinault. “In #endurance #racing, the team must always come first. In addition to giving their very best in the car, drivers must be capable of contributing to the overall dynamic, communicating freely with and, above all, serving those around them. That’s the real key to success, and its calls for a completely different intellectual and psychological mindset compared with single-seater racing.”
Nicolas Lapierre made the switch to #endurance #racing some 15 years ago and agrees wholeheartedly with his boss. “The difference is night and day,” he concurs. “In #endurance #racing, you want your team-mates to be as fast as possible, whereas your instinct in single-seaters is to trounce everybody else! It’s a completely different mentality.”
Compromises
Having three drivers sharing the same car clearly calls for compromise, as #philippesinault explains: “In #endurance #racing, not only must you be willing to look after the brakes for the driver who takes over from you after a stint, but you must be mindful of your fuel consumption and accept that you’re not always going to have fresh tires. You’re forever having to make compromises and think about your team-mates, while still pushing as hard as possible. That can lead to decisions that may surprise those who are unfamiliar with the sport. The seating position inside the cockpit is an example that springs to mind.”
Finding drivers who are capable of taking these values on board and sharing them with their team-mates is no simple matter. “At Alpine Elf #endurance Team, not only do I play a hands-on role in tracking down the ideal trio, but I’m happy to admit that it’s the part of my job I prefer,” he confesses.
Some teams carry out a detailed analysis of the performance of prospective drivers. Others may be tempted by certain nationalities for marketing reasons, or to seek out drivers with similar styles. Alpine Elf #endurance Team’s boss has no hesitation when it comes to defining his guiding influence as far as recruitment goes. “In my opinion, the number one priorities are team spirit and overall approach,” he states. “There is no easy key, though. No guaranteed recipe. It’s essentially a gut feeling whether someone is a good fit for the dynamic you’re looking to achieve.”
The way the drivers operate together can actually take the team forward as a whole. “When the dynamic is strong, each driver helps his team-mates progress in areas that aren’t necessarily their strengths,” he continues. “Not only does this sort of positive cooperation bring out the best in all three driver but it also helps them to progress individually. When you see this alchemy click into place, it makes the pleasure and success you share that much more fulfilling!”
Philippe Sinault got his choice spot-on when he named Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão and Matthieu Vaxiviere for the 2021 FIA #wec. “I am so proud to have brought these three drivers together,” he smiles. “They functioned so well in 2021 that there was no question of making any changes for this season.”
A winning trio
Nicolas Lapierre has been part of the squad since 2016 and has emerged as the team captain… “Every time he gets in the car, we know he will give his very best, in addition to being perfectly objective regarding both his and the car’s performance. That’s such a valuable asset to have,” remarks #philippesinault.
While enlisting the services of a Frenchman with such an eloquent record may have been a clear-cut option, the Brazilian André Negrão came to #endurance #racing late in joining the team in 2017, after a first career in single-seaters: “Endurance #racing gave him an opportunity to reveal the talent that stems from his intelligence. He enjoys working and succeeding as a group and has become an indispensable part of the team.”
At the beginning of 2021, Nicolas and André were joined by Matthieu Vaxiviere... “Not so long ago, Matthieu’s outlook was very much that of a single-seater driver,” notes #philippesinault. “However, through his collaboration with his team-mates, he soon grasped the notion of team spirit and has become a particularly strong #endurance #racing driver.”
After their successful campaign in 2021 that harvested six podium finishes, Nicolas, André and Matthieu kicked off the current season in style by winning the opening round of the FIA WEC – the 1,000 Miles of Sebring, in Florida, USA – in their Alpine A480. The fact that they are provisionally sitting at the top of the championship leaderboard is persuasive evidence that all three possess the qualities that distinguish #endurance #racing drivers from their single-seater counterparts!
16-2022 FIA WEC CHAMPIONSHIP - SEBRING PROLOGUE - André NEGRAO - Matthieu VAXIVIERE - Nicolas LAPIERRE
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12-Alpine scores its first win in the premier category at Sebring
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1-2022 FIA WEC CHAMPIONSHIP - 1000 MILES OF SEBRING - André NEGRAO, Nicolas LAPIERRE, Matthieu VAXIVIERE
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14-2022 FIA WEC CHAMPIONSHIP - 1000 MILES OF SEBRING - Nicolas LAPIERRE, Matthieu VAXIVIERE
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2-2021 FIA WEC - 8 HOURS OF BAHRAIN - Matthieu VAXIVIERE - Nicolas LAPIERRE - André NEGRAO
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6-2022 - Alpine A480 - Tests Sessions on the Castellet circuit – Alpine A480 N°36 Alpine Elf (Lapierre - Negrao - Vaxiviere)
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5-2022 - Alpine A480 - Tests Sessions on the Castellet circuit – André NEGRAO - Nicolas LAPIERRE - Matthiue VAXIVIERE - Philippe SINAULT
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13-Alpine scores its first win in the premier category at Sebring
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15-2022 FIA WEC CHAMPIONSHIP - SEBRING PROLOGUE - André NEGRAO - Matthieu VAXIVIERE - Nicolas LAPIERRE
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7-2022 FIA WEC CHAMPIONSHIP - 1000 MILES OF SEBRING - André NEGRAO, Nicolas LAPIERRE
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11-2019 - 1000 Miles of Sebring
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3-2021 FIA WEC - 8 HOURS OF BAHRAIN - Philippe SINAULT
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9-2022 - Alpine A480 - Tests Sessions on the Castellet circuit – Alpine A480 N°36 Alpine Elf (Lapierre - Negrao - Vaxiviere)
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10-2022 - Alpine A480 - Tests Sessions on the Castellet circuit – Alpine A480 N°36 Alpine Elf (Lapierre - Negrao - Vaxiviere)
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8-2021 FIA WEC - 8 HOURS OF BAHRAIN - Matthieu VAXIVIERE - Nicolas LAPIERRE - André NEGRAO
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4-2021 FIA WEC - 8 HOURS OF BAHRAIN - Matthieu VAXIVIERE - Nicolas LAPIERRE - André NEGRAO
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