Alpine has officially presented its LMDh-Hypercar A424 – Jules Gounon new reserve driver – The driver pairing around Mick Schumacher has been changed again
With the official presentation, Alpine has made itself ready for the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC). There is one small change to the previous driver line-up.
Mick Schumacher will continue to sit in the 35.
Mick Schumacher says: “The change was obvious. [WEC] is the closest thing to Formula 1. Everyone is eager for it to start. That also sparked the fire in me to switch here and race [with Alpine].”
He says about the difference to Formula 1: “It’s a big difference. We drive here for 24 hours until we get the car across the finish line. That’s a great thing. And I’m looking forward to sharing the car with two experienced team-mates.”
The car and its design were already familiar from the many test drives. Philippe Sinault, Team Principal of the Signatech entry team, attests to the V6 car’s “enormous potential”. He also mentions the small change in the driver line-up.
“Our driver line-up perfectly reflects our pursuit of perfection and our appreciation of people as one of the essential elements and keys to the success of the project. We have made no compromises,” he says.
Racing in car 36
Nico, Mick & Matt are all set and ready to take on the WEC challenge in 2024. Full push! AlpineEnduranceTeam pic.twitter.com/t4O5BBYhvo– Alpine Endurance Team (@SignatechAlpine) February 7, 2024
“It was a pleasant conversation with [Alpine Motorsport boss] Bruno Famin and we agreed immediately. All the drivers are of high quality, have experience and are very committed and ambitious. I believe we have made the right choice and I am confident that this team will write a successful new chapter in the hypercar scene for Alpine.”
Nicolas Lapierre, who played a key role in the development of the car, speaks of a year of learning, but also announces: “The development phase is over, but this is just the beginning of our journey together. I can tell you: this car is great to drive.” Paul-Loup Chatin speaks of “major challenges” in the first season, which must be approached “with humility”.
Reigning Intercontinental GT Challenge champion Jules Gounon was introduced as the project’s new test and reserve driver
“I was really looking forward to getting to know the Alpine A424 and would like to thank Mercedes-AMG for allowing me to join Alpine in this role,” he says. “Many of the GT greats I’ve raced against over the years are now in hypercars from different manufacturers and this was a personal dream of mine.”
“Back then, I resolved to do everything I could to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a prototype. It’s not possible yet, as I’m a reserve driver, but I hope to do a good job and keep improving to get closer to that goal in the future.”
Alpine already competed in the hypercar class in 2021 and 2022 with a decommissioned Oreca LMP1, previously known as the Rebellion R13. In 2023, the Signatech team completed a transitional season in LMP2, during which the LMDh car was developed. It is also based on an Oreca chassis. The 3.4-liter V6 turbo engine comes from Mecachrome