Nicolas Lapierre has been appointed as the new Sporting Director of the Alpine Endurance Team, thus continuing his adventure in the FIA World Endurance Championship in a different role.
During the week the Frenchman announced his immediate retirement as a driver, thus leaving the place on the A424 #36 to Jules Gounon for the 8h of Bahrain which will take place in November, preferring to concentrate on a new challenge of managing the transalpine team.
Lapierre will be fundamental on the wall in support of the Signatech Team Principal, Philippe Sinault, starting from 1 January 2025, but already in Sakhir we will see him busy in the pits to begin to understand the new job in a new way, after having put on the helmet and tracksuit for the last time at Fuji, reaching the podium together with Mick Schumacher and Matthieu Vaxiviere.
Podium: #36 Alpine Endurance Team Alpine A424: Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere
Photo credit: JEP / Motorsport Images
“Alpine has always shown enormous trust in me, even giving me the opportunity to develop the A424 and start this first season behind the wheel. After having expressed my desire to conclude my career as a professional driver, I am pleased to confirm that I will continue the adventure with the team, but this time on the other side of the pit wall”. commented Lapierre.
“I will try to bring all my experience to our riders and act as a liaison with our technicians. Endurance racing is growing rapidly and I believe in the Alpine project. We must continue to work tirelessly to achieve great goals together.”
Sinault adds: “I am thrilled that Nicolas has been appointed DS. We have been discussing this prospect together for several months. In addition to mutual desire, it represents a logical and natural continuation of the prosperous collaboration we have shared in recent years, particularly under the Alpine colors “.
“We have grown together and won many races and several titles! We know each other very well and there is mutual trust. I want to thank Nicolas for accepting and I look forward to seeing him contribute to the development of the team in his new role.”
Bruno Famin, Vice President of Alpine Motorsports, comments: “Since the beginning of the A424 program, Nicolas has been one of the main players; the first to drive the car, contributing significantly to its development. The podium at Fuji is a magnificent reward for the work done by the whole team and by him.”
“Nicolas is part of the Alpine family. In addition to his proven qualities as a driver and a man, he has acquired a great deal of experience outside of the car in recent years. Together with Philippe, it was clear to us that Nicolas could make a great contribution to the team thanks to his role as DS, and we are sincerely happy that he has accepted. He will make a significant contribution to the team, which will be able to take a further step forward.”
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