PRESS KIT 2019-2020 FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
“Since 2013, motorsport has been at the heart of Alpine’s revival. This return to competition has been prolific with two European titles, two World titles and three LMP2 victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. These successes have been the driving force for the launches of the Alpine A110 road cars and the Cup, GT4 and soon Rallye versions.”
“Our Endurance ambitions are as high as ever and everything is ready for the Alpine A470, run by our valued partner Signatech, to continue to make our brand standout around the world.”
Régis Fricotté Alpine Commercial and Competition Director
“In winning the World Championship in 2016 and 2018-2019, the Signatech Alpine Elf team represents the Alpine brand at the highest level with flying colours. This seventh season of involvement is synonymous with the age of reason, but our motivation remains intact. It even intensifies with our successes. It has been a fantastic story ever since we first got involved and we intend to add new chapters in the upcoming months. The trust of our partners while seeing more and more Alpines on the road reward this commitment today!”
Philippe Sinault Team Principal Signatech Alpine Elf
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CONTENTS
2019-2020 programme Alpine A470 Signatech Alpine Elf team No. 36 crew FIA WEC key points Alpine in Endurance
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2019-2020 PROGRAMME
In 2019, Alpine begins the seventh campaign of its contemporary Endurance programme. Entered under the Signatech Alpine Elf banner, the no. 36 Alpine A470 competes in the LMP2 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC).
Eight teams are entered in this category for the full season. The competition will be even stiffer in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with some 20 cars expected to contest the season finale in June 2020.
Crowned in 2016 and 2018-2019, the Signatech Alpine Elf team is among the favourites for the title.
The 2019-2020 team is composed of: - André Negrão. Following a strong debut season in 2017, the Brazilian has become one of the pillars in the team to which he brings his determination to win. - Thomas Laurent. The highly promising French Endurance driver made his breakthrough in 2017 and returns to the team where he first drove an LMP2 car. - Pierre Ragues. A major player in the 2013 ELMS title campaign, Pierre returns to Alpine with his vast experience and versatility.
This trio has been formed in compliance with the regulations, which require at least one "Silver" or “Bronze” driver in each LMP2 car.
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ALPINE A470
Contesting the FIA World Endurance Championship since the major rule changes of the LMP2 category in 2017, the Alpine A470 has been designed to meet the new technical regulations while being faster than its predecessors.
Homologated by the FIA, the Alpine A470 chassis is powered by a 600bhp V8 engine provided by Gibson Technology, which is identical for all LMP2 competitors.
The monocoque design and some mechanical components, such as the gearbox, are derived from the Alpine A460 that won the team’s first world title in 2016.
Oreca's work focused in particular on integrating the new powertrain and on aerodynamics with extensive work using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). The contours of the Alpine A470 reveal a brand new level of refinement in the category.
Fast from the word go, the Alpine A470 became the car to beat in winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019. After winning the 2018-2019 LMP2 title, the Alpine A470 begins this new season with 13 podium results in its last 14 races.
The Alpine A470 has been shod on Michelin tyres since the 1000 Miles of Sebring held in March 2019.
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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 Michelin 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
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SIGNATECH ALPINE ELF
Founded in 1990 when it was known as Signature, the Signature Group has been looking after the technical, sporting and logistics aspects of the Alpine Endurance racing programme since 2013. This partnership has extended to the design and marketing of the Alpine A110 Cup and GT4, to the organization of the Alpine Europa Cup and soon to the brand's Rally activities.
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 develop technical simulation programmes.
Signatech's competitive record includes 21 titles, 86 races, 55 pole positions, 506 podiums and 53 lap records in single-seater and Endurance racing.
MANAGEMENT Team Principal Philippe Sinault Technical Director Lionel Chevalier Race engineer Thomas Tribotté
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SIGNATECH ALPINE ELF #36
THOMAS LAURENT (FRA) Born 5 April 1998 in La Roche-sur-Yon (France) FIA driver category: Gold thomas-laurent.com FB /ThomasLaurentPro TW @ThomasLaurent85 IG @thomas_laurent_85
After winning the 2015 KZ2 World Karting Championship, Thomas Laurent immediately set his sights on Endurance where he cut his teeth in the LMP3 category of the Asian Le Mans Series. Winner of the 2016 Road to Le Mans, the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans curtain raiser, he drove a few months later an LMP2 car for the first time with Alpine. In 2017, the Frenchman battled for the win in the legendary June classic before finishing second and receiving the Jean Rondeau prize awarded to the best rookie. He continued his rise moving up to LMP1 in 2018 and collected another podium result at Le Mans and his first victory at Silverstone. This season, France’s brightest hopeful in the sport returns to Signatech Alpine Elf to aim for his first title in the FIA WEC.
COMPETITIVE RECORD 2019 FIA WEC 3rd 2018 AsLMS 1st LMP2 2017 FIA WEC 7th (2nd LMP2) 2017 AsLMS 7th LMP2 2016 Road to Le Mans 1st LMP3 2016 Carrera Cup France 6th 2016 ELMS 8th LMP3 2016 AsLMS 2nd LMP3 2015 Karting KZ2 1st
24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2019 5th 2018 3re 2017 2nd (1st LMP2)
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ANDRÉ NEGRÃO (BRA) Born 17 June 1992 in Sao Paulo (Brazil) FIA driver category: Gold andrenegrao.com FB /AndreNegrao.Racer TW @NegraoAndre IG @anegrao
Like many of his fellow countrymen, André Negrão starred on home soil before heading to Europe where he moved up the ranks just to GP2. After a year in the United States in 2016, where he finished seventh in Indy Lights, he switched to Endurance with Alpine. Teamed with Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues, he finished fourth in the general classification and third in LMP2 in his first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He continued the season with Nicolas Lapierre and Gustavo Menezes with whom he took five podium results, including a win, to battle for the title just until the final race. The Super-Season saw the Brazilian break out with eight podium finishes in as many races and two category victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans that took him to his first career title!
COMPETITIVE RECORD 2019 FIA WEC 8th (1st LMP2) 2017 FIA WEC 10th (5th LMP2) 2016 Indy Lights 7th 2015 GP2 20th 2014 GP2 12th 2013 FR 3.5 10th 2012 F3 Brazil Open 2nd 2010 F3 Brazil Open 2nd
24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2019 6th (1st LMP2) 2018 5th (1st LMP2) 2017 4th (3rd LMP2)
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PIERRE RAGUES (FRA) Born 10 January 1984 in Caen (France) FIA driver category: Silver pierreragues.com FB /Pierreragues TW @PierreRagues IG @pierreragues
Runner-up in the 2003 French Formula Campus Championship, Pierre Ragues made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in 2006. In 2008, he finished 3rd in LMP2 with Saulnier Racing before joining the Signature team the following year. In 2013, he teamed with Nelson Panciatici to give the brand its first title in the ELMS. Four years later, he was back with Alpine to take a second top three result in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with André Negrão and Nelson Panciatici. Never backing away from new challenges in his career, Pierre starred in karting, LMP2, GT and rallying… A versatility worthy of an Alpine driver!
COMPETITIVE RECORD 2018 ELMS 11th 2017 FIA WEC 18th (20th LMP2) 2016 FIA WEC 17th GT (6th GTE AM) 2015 FIA WEC 20th (7th LMP2) 2014 ELMS 6th 2013 ELMS 1st 2003 Formula Campus 2nd
24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2019 12th (7th LMP2) 2017 4th (3rd LMP2) 2016 37th (8th GTE Am) 2015 Retired 2014 14th (9th LMP2) 2013 14th (8th LMP2) 2012 10th (4th LMP2) 2011 Retired 2010 Retired 2009 11th 2008 18th (3rd LMP2) 2006 Retired
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FIA WEC KEY POINTS
The FIA WEC competitors are split into four categories: the prototypes in LMP1 and LMP2 – the latter being the category in which the Alpine A470s compete – and the GTs in LMGTE Pro and LMGTE Am.
The LMP2s (Le Mans Prototype 2) are racing cars with no minimum production required. Despite their similar looks to the LMP1s, the LMP2s don’t feature hybrid or electric propulsion system. Competitors must use one of the four chassis homologated by the FIA.
The engines used in LMP2 are identical for all the competitors. They all use a Gibson GK428 V8 engine. The ECU, supplied by Cosworth, is also standardised.
Private testing is limited to five days per car in LMP2.
The LMP2 race numbers are white against a blue background.
Each crew competing in LMP2 must include at least one Silver or Bronze category driver. Driver classification is defined by the FIA according to past results.
Each driver has a licence issued with a capital of 12 points. In the case of a penalty sanctioning on-track behaviour, the race stewards may order a deduction of points. A driver who loses all their points is suspended for the next race
During a pit stop, the changing of tyres, the cleaning of the brakes and bodywork are allowed while the car is being refuelled.
The use of slick tyres is limited. For example, for six-hour races: three sets of tyres are allowed for free practice and four for qualifying and the race. There is no imposed tyre manufacturer.
With the exception of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, qualifying sessions are 20 minutes in duration, in which two nominated drivers must participate, including one “Silver” driver. The time recorded is the average of the fastest lap times of the two drivers.
Points are awarded to competitors classified at the end of a race: 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points for the top ten, then 0.5 points for competitors finishing lower down the order. A bonus point is awarded for pole position (best lap time outright) in each category. This scale is assigned a coefficient of 1.5 for the 8 Hours of Bahrain and the 1000 Miles of Sebring, and doubled for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
During a six-hour race, a driver must spend at least 1hr 15min on track in order to score points. Maximum driving time is set at 3hrs 30min per driver (for the six-hour races). If the ambient temperature is higher than 32°C, the maximum consecutive driving time is limited to 80 minutes. These times are adjusted according to the length of the race.
The FIA World Endurance Championship Drivers' title is restricted to LMP1 and LMP2 drivers (combined standings for both LMP categories).
At the end of the season, the best LMP2 drivers and teams win FIA Endurance Trophies.
2019-2020 CALENDAR 23-24 July 2019: Prologue – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) 1 September 2019: 4 Hours of Silverstone (Great Britain) 6 October 2019: 6 Hours of Fuji (Japan) 10 November 2019: 4 Hours of Shanghai (China)
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14 December 2019: 8 Hours of Bahrain (Bahrain) 1 February 2020: 6 Hours of São Paulo (Brazil) 20 March 2020: 1000 Miles of Sebring (United States) 2 May 2020: Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 13-14 June 2020: 24 Hours of Le Mans (France)
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ALPINE IN ENDURANCE
Alpine has always used competition, whether it be rallying, open-wheel or Endurance to develop its brand. Some of the most spectacular moments of its sporting history have taken place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the overall victory of the A442B of Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud in 1978… Echoed by the successes of 2016, 2018 and 2019!
"THE FASTEST LITRE OF PETROL IN THE WORLD"
In 1962, Jean Rédélé began development of the Alpine M63 with the 24 Hours of Le Mans in his sights. None of the three cars entered in 1963 made it to the end, but the performances of these prototypes – powered by a little 996cc Gordini engine – were impressive.
The adventure continued with a strategy based on "ingenious economy". Opting to focus on aerodynamic performance and reduced capacity, Alpine went after the "Index of Thermal Efficiency" and "Index of Performance" trophies. In these categories, the brand won several times at Le Mans. At the other circuits, it scored a host of class wins before its first outright win was claimed by Mauro and Lucien Bianchi in the M65 at the 500 kilometres of Nürburgring in 1965.
The arrival of the Alpine A210 marked a turning point. Whilst appearing similar to the M65, this model finished by convincing Renault to invest in the development of a three-litre V8 engine capable of targeting outright victory... Although the first attempts of the 'big' A211 and A220 met with disappointment, the project continued and developed.
VICTORY AT LE MANS!
In 1973, Renault took over control of Alpine. The A440 was therefore presented under the name "Renault Alpine". The aims of the programme were clear: Alpine must win the newly- created European Two-Litre Sports Car Championship before developing a car capable of winning at Le Mans. The Renault Alpine A440 was refined, becoming the A441. It amassed a series of race wins and claimed the European title with Alain Serpaggi in 1974. A new 1996cc turbo engine, developing some 490bhp, was then installed in the chassis and the car was renamed the A442.
Following the creation of the Renault Sport entity, significant resources were deployed to take part in the World Championship for Makes in 1976. The only A442 competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans secured pole position before retiring during the race.
Counting on the experience acquired, Renault Sport decided to concentrate exclusively on Le Mans. Success finally arrived in 1978. Four cars were entered, with the Alpine A442B driven by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Didier Pironi winning the race! Having achieved its goals, Renault switched its involvement to Formula 1.
ALPINE STRIKES BACK!
Thirty-five years later, Alpine returned to racing in order to support the brand's renaissance. The new Alpine A450 beat its rivals to claim two consecutive titles in the European Le Mans Series (2013-2014) and an LMP2 podium finish at the 2014 24 Hours of Mans (7th overall). 2015 witnessed the arrival of the Signatech-Alpine team in the FIA WEC, coming first in the LMP2 category in Shanghai and finishing fourth overall in the championship.
In 2016, the team entered two new closed-cockpit A460 prototypes. The no.36 Signatech- Alpine had an exceptional season. The crew of Lapierre, Menezes and Richelmi won at Spa-
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Francorchamps, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Nürburgring and in Austin. With one race still to go, Alpine won the Drivers' and Teams' titles!
The following year, the new Alpine A470 of Panciatici / Ragues / Negrão finished fourth overall at Le Mans and on the LMP2 podium. With five consecutive top-three results, including a win in Austin, Lapierre / Menezes / Negrão finished third in the championship.
With Pierre Thiriet joining Nicolas Lapierre and André Negrão, the 2018-2019 season was even more successful as the trio never finished outside of the top three and took top honours twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to win both world titles for a second time!
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PRESS CONTACT
Christophe Deville Renault Group Motorsport Communication Manager Tel.: +33 (0)6 72 84 63 24 Email: [email protected] alpinecars.com signatech-alpine.com media.group.renault.com
TWITTER @Alpine_Cars @SignatechAlpine
FACEBOOK @alpinesportscars @SignatechAlpineElf
INSTAGRAM @alpine_cars @alpine_racing
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