Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Nicolas Lapierre will take a brand new administration position at Alpine’s World Endurance Championship group following his retirement from racing.
Having introduced his determination to hold up his helmet earlier this week, Lapierre will transfer right into a newly-created position of sporting director on the Alpine Endurance Group to help group principal Philippe Sinault.
Though his new job will formally start on 1 January 2025, the Frenchman will take up the place in November’s Bahrain 8 Hours finale with the intention to familiarise himself with the position.
The 40-year-old pulled the curtain down on his racing profession after final month’s Fuji spherical to focus “on the opposite facet of the pitwall”, a task that introduced him extra pleasure than he anticipated since he began CLX Motorsport – which operates below the Cool Racing banner – in 2020.
“Alpine has all the time proven an amazing quantity of confidence in me, not least by giving me the prospect to develop the A424 after which begin this primary season behind the wheel,” he stated.
“After expressing the want to finish my profession as knowledgeable driver, I’m delighted to verify that I’m persevering with the journey with the group, however this time on the opposite facet of the pitwall.
“I will attempt to deliver all my expertise to our drivers and be the hyperlink with our technical groups. Endurance racing is on a terrific trajectory, and I consider within the Alpine mission. We should proceed our relentless efforts to succeed in the following ranges collectively.”
#36 Alpine Endurance Group Alpine A424: Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere
Picture by: JEP / Motorsport Photos
Lapierre has been racing alongside Mick Schumacher and Matthieu Vaxiviere within the #36 Alpine A424 LMDh in 2024, scoring the programme’s maiden podium end in Japan in September.
With Lapierre stepping down from racing with a spherical nonetheless to run, his place within the two-car Alpine group in Bahrain can be taken over by reserve driver Jules Gounon, though Alpine didn’t explicitly verify that he can be driving the #36 A424.
Gounon was already all the way down to compete within the eight-hour race on the Bahrain Worldwide Circuit instead of Charles Milesi as a part of a plan agreed internally earlier than the beginning of the season. But it surely now seems that Milesi will see out the season within the #35 Alpine.
On the choice to advertise Lapierre to a administration position, Sinault stated: “We’ve got been discussing this prospect collectively for a number of months now.
“Aside from our mutual want, it represents a logical and pure continuation of the affluent collaboration we’ve shared over the previous few years, notably below the Alpine colors.
“We have grown up collectively and gained many races and a number of other titles! We all know one another exceptionally nicely, and there may be mutual belief. I wish to thank Nicolas for accepting, and I am wanting ahead to seeing him contribute to the group’s growth in his new position.”
Lapierre performed a pivotal position within the growth of the Alpine A424 challenger, having introduced with him greater than 15 years of expertise in prototype equipment.
“Proper from the outset of the A424 programme, Nicolas has been one of many key actors. He was the primary to drive the automobile and contributed considerably to its growth,” stated Alpine motorsport chief Bruno Famin.
“He’s a part of the Alpine household. Along with his confirmed qualities as a driver and human being, he has gained a wealth of expertise outdoors the automobile lately.
“Along with Philippe, it was clear to us that Nicolas may naturally deliver a terrific deal to the group via his sporting director position, and we’re genuinely delighted that Nicolas has accepted.”
It stays unclear whether or not Lapierre will keep as group principal at Cool Racing, an outfit that he based along with Alexandre Coigny. When requested by Motorsport.com, an Alpine spokesperson declined to remark.
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