Photo : CHRISTOPHE JOUNIAUX / VSA

 

Even though, just like the Matra 40 years ago, Alpine has known some Anglo-Saxon exceptions throughout its history in Le Mans (such as Derek Bell in the 1970s and Oliver Webb in 2014), support to French drivers is a crucial element for Philippe Sinault and his team, Signatech Alpine. A European Le Mans Series (ELMS) title-winner twice, in 2013 and 2014, Nelson Panciatici is a "senior" member of the team (even though he is only 26!). Joining him last year, Paul-Loup Chatin shared with him the ELMS title, as well as the LM P2 podium at the 2014 24 Hours, at his very first participation. Himself ranked in the top 5 of the class at the 24 Hours, Le Mans native Vincent Capillaire succeeded Oliver Webb after a superb ELMS season he ended with a win at Estoril with Sébastien Loeb Racing.

Nelson Panciatici: "In Le Mans, we nearly won last year, and we will do everything to make it happen this year."
Paul-Loup Chatin: "We are coming out of an exceptional 2014 season, with a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And after two consecutive titles in the European Le Mans Series, it's true there was a very high expectation to go into the World Championship because it paves the way for the international revival of the Alpine marque. In any case, we are looking to win, thanks to the experience level of the people at Signatech Alpine."
Nelson Panciatici: "Signatech Alpine knows the World Championship very well after having participated in it in 2012 (at that time under the name Signatech Nissan, editor's note) and I was already a driver for the team back then. It will certainly not be easy because it will be necessary to refamiliarize ourselves with the circuits and get to know others (like the Circuit of the Americas which was not yet on the World Championship calendar in 2012). But things went very well two years ago, so I'm not worried. We will have to be very consistent and go after points in each race."
Vincent Capillaire: "For me, to join Alpine is a great opportunity. It's true to be at the 24 Hours as a Le Mans native at the wheel of an Alpine perhaps brings with it a bit of added pressure but what really matters is that it also increases motivation. We have a lot of ambition and fantastic skills in the team. So we have the means with which to get good results. No matter what, every year my heart beats strongly for orange and blue at Le Mans!"
Paul-Loup Chatin: "We had a very fast car at Le Mans in 2014 and the Signatech Alpine team really did remarkable work. The Alpine A450B is a fast car and we hope to reach the top two steps on the podium we didn't make it to with our third place finish last year."

The 83rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, 2015.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY JUNE 15 2014, RACE. For the duration of the 2014 24 Hours, the Alpine A450B was a candidate for victory. It be most likely be so in 2015...