2018 PRESS KIT FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP “Vying for the title just until the final race of last season, the Signatech Alpine Matmut team fully participated in the renewal of the LMP2 category in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The level of performance and the demands had never been as great and we expect the 2018 season to be just as competitive. To aim for the highest step of the podium, we can count on our knowledge of the Alpine A470, driven by a trio of experienced and fast drivers and supported by a technical team whose motivation knows no limits. It is blue blood that runs through our veins!” Philippe Sinault Signatech Alpine Matmut Team Principal CONTENTS 02 Alpine A470 01 2018 Programme 03 Signatech Alpine Matmut 04 No.36 crew 05 Key points of the FIA WEC 06 Alpine in Endurance 01 2018 PROGRAMME In 2018, Alpine will begin the sixth season of its contemporary programme in Endurance. Entered under the banner of the Signatech Alpine Matmut team, the Alpine A470 will race with the number 36 on the entry list of the FIA WEC World Championship in the LMP2 category. Seven teams are entered in this category for the entire season. The opposition will once again be fierce at the 24-Hours of Le Mans as 20 cars are expected to participate. World Champions in 2016 and third in 2017, the factory Alpine team obviously figures among the candidates for the win. The 2018 team is composed of: Nicolas Lapierre. He ticks all the requisite boxes for an Endurance driver; fast, easy on the tyres and fuel, skilful with set-up and a strong sense of team spirit. André Negrão. One of the revelations of the 2017 season, while he was an Endurance newcomer. In addition to his will to win, he also brings his Brazilian love of life to the team. Pierre Thiriet. A solid driver, fast and reliable, who has seven years of Endurance experience and who is living the dream of many French racers: to represent the Alpine colours. This crew has been formed in compliance with the regulations, which require at least one «Silver» category driver in each LMP2 car. ALPINE A470 In 2017, the LMP2 category has undergone a major powertrain and on aerodynamics. Obtained following 02 transformation, with the application of new technical extensive work using CFD (Computational Fluid regulations and a generation of cars with substantially Dynamics), the contours of the A470 reveal a level of improved performance. refinement never previously attained on cars in the LMP2 category. Homologated by the FIA, the chassis of the Alpine A470 is powered by a 600bhp V8 engine, which has been The performance gain was spectacular, to the order of provided by Gibson Technology and is identical for all four seconds per lap on the Shanghai circuit and ten competitors in the category. seconds on the 24-Hours of Le Mans circuit, with a top speed increasing from 310 to 336kph. The monocoque design and some mechanical components – such as the gearbox – are derived from Like the previous seasons, the Alpine A470 will be shod the Alpine A460, the 2016 World Champion car. Oreca’s on Dunlop tyres. work focused in particular on integrating the new TECHNICAL DATA SHEET CHASSIS Structure .......................................... Carbon fibre & honeycomb body shell Bodywork ......................................... Carbon/kevlar Suspension ...................................... Double wishbone with pushrods, PKM shock absorbers Steering ............................................ Electric power-assisted Length............................................... 4,745mm Width ................................................. 1,895mm Height ............................................... 1,045mm Front track ....................................... 1,570mm Rear track ........................................ 1,550mm Wheel base ...................................... 3,005mm Weight .............................................. 930kg ENGINE Type ................................................... Gibson GK-428 Configuration .................................. Normally-aspirated V8 at 90° Capacity ............................................ 4,200cc Maximum power ........................... 603bhp Maximum engine speed ............. 9,000rpm Lubrication ...................................... Dry sump/multi-stage oil pump Electronic control unit ................. Cosworth GEARBOX Brand ................................................. Xtrac Type ................................................... Magnesium housing, transversally-mounted Gearshift .......................................... Steering-wheel mounted paddles Gears ................................................. 6 + reverse WHEELS Tyres .................................................. Dunlop 30-68/R18 (front) and 31-71/R18 (rear) Front wheel rims ........................... 12.5»x18» Rear wheel rims ............................. 13»x18» BRAKES Discs................................................... Ventilated carbon Callipers ............................................ Six-piston one-piece SAFETY Harness ............................................ Six-point safety harness adapted to Hans® system Fuel tank .......................................... 75-litre safety rubber tank with built-in reserve system 03 SIGNATECH ALPINE MATMUT Founded in 1990 when it was known as Signature, the Signature Group has been supplying Alpine with technical, sporting and logistics support for its Endurance racing programme since 2013. This partnership was recently expanded to the conception and marketing of the Alpine A110 Cups and GT4, as well as the organisation of the Alpine Europa Cup. The history of the Signature Group was initially tied to Formula 3, in which it won several national and international titles and through which it made key contributions to the careers of some notable drivers, including Benoit Tréluyer, Loïc Duval, Nicolas Lapierre, Romain Grosjean and Edoardo Mortara. A substantial shift was made in 2009, when the team first competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Based in Bourges, in the heart of France, the Signature Group employs around forty people in four departments: Racing, Engineering, Events Management and Classics. Two workshops, covering a total surface area of 2,500m2, are dedicated to designing, building and running racing cars. The facilities include a design office equipped with 3D Solidworks CAD solution, a bodywork/ composite fibre department and a mechanical parts production workshop. An Ellip6 simulator is used for driver training and to devise technical simulation programmes. Signatech’s competitive record includes 19 titles, 84 race wins, 54 pole positions, 498 podium finishes and 53 lap records, acquired in single-seater racing and Endurance. MANAGEMENT Team Principal Philippe Sinault Technical Director Lionel Chevalier Race engineer for no.36 Thomas Tribotté 04 SIGNATECH ALPINE MATMUT NO.36 NICOLAS LAPIERRE ANDRÉ NEGRÃO PIERRE THIRIET Born on 2 April 1984 Born on 17 June 1992 Born on 20 April 1989 in Thonon-les-Bains (France) in Sao Paulo (Brazil) in Épinal (France) FIA driver category: Gold FIA driver category: Platinum FIA driver category: Silver nicolaslapierre.com andrenegrao.com /NicolasLapierreOfficiel /AndreNegrao.Racer @Nico_Lapierre @NegraoAndre @pierre_thiriet @nico_lapierre @anegrao @pierre_thiriet Nicolas began his career in single-seater racing, winning the Like his more famous predecessors, André Negrão crossed the Following his debut in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy, Pierre 2003 Macao F3 GP with the Signature team as part of the F3 Atlantic to acquire experience racing in Europe. He has taken Thiriet headed towards Endurance in his third season in Euroseries. He switched to Endurance in 2008 and enjoyed his part in more than 150 races in Formula Renault 2.0, FR3.5 and motor racing. With the TDS team, he quickly became one of first victories with Team Oreca Matmut. In 2012, he finished third GP2 since making his debut in 2008. He never lost interest the most prominent drivers in the ELMS, with a title in 2012 in the FIA WEC with Toyota. During the three seasons he spent in the American continent, however, since he was runner and three runner-up places in 2013, 2015 and 2016. After six with the Japanese manufacturer, he won six outright World up in the Brazilian F3 championship in 2010 and 2012 and seasons in Europe, he joined the ranks of the FIA WEC in 2017. Championship races. After coming first in the LMP2 category at seventh in the Indy Lights in 2016. In 2017, he turned towards With the G-Drive team, he took his first LMP2 victory at Spa- the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015, he joined Signatech-Alpine for Endurance in joining Signatech Alpine Matmut. Teamed with Francorchamps. Pierre has raced in the 24-Hours of Le Mans the 2016 campaign. At the end of a dream-like season, during Panciatici and Ragues, he finished fourth overall in his first seven times, twice finishing second in LMP2. which he secured four race wins – including the 24 Hours of Le 24-Hours of Le Mans. He continued his season with Lapierre Mans – he claimed the LMP2 Drivers’ and Teams’ titles. In 2017, and Menezes. Together, the trio took five consecutive podium his season was split between LMP1 with Toyota and LMP2 with results, including a win and stayed in contention for the title Signatech Alpine Matmut. He was one of the principal architects just until the final race. of the comeback of the Blues in the second half of the season. COMPETITIVE RECORD COMPETITIVE RECORD COMPETITIVE RECORD 2017 FIA WEC 12th (6th in LMP2) 2017