Alpine Elf Matmut Team announces drivers for FIA WEC World Championship |
Marţi, 26 Ianuarie 2021 18:51 |
LMP2 World Champion in 2016 and 2019, the Alpine Elf Matmut team has decided to take it to the next level in 2021 by entering the Hypercar category, the premier class of the 2021 FIA WEC Championship. The Alpine, named A480, will be emblazoned with its favourite number, #36, with which the team won the 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 category three times in the last five years. The aim for the Alpine Elf Matmut Team will be to surprise in its first season in the premier class. To this end it will count on the talent of its race team and three drivers.
Frenchman Nicolas Lapierre, champion in 2016 and 2019, will be joined by Brazilian André Negrão, with whom he has shared many successes within the Alpine team. The crew will be completed by Frenchman Matthieu Vaxivière, an experienced endurance competitor with four entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, including two podiums in the LMP2 category in 2019 and 2020. The trio will have only one objective: to deliver maximum performance in each of the six rounds of the FIA WEC Championship and finish as high as possible. The crew of the Alpine A480 n°36 will be on track on March 30-31 at the Circuit de Portimão (Portugal) for the official FIA WEC test session, before taking part in the first race on April 4 on the same circuit.
Alpine Elf Matmut Team n°36 NICOLAS LAPIERRE (FRA) Born on 2 April 1984 in Thonon-les-Bains (France) FIA driver category: Platinum With a solid record of success in the single-seater category that culminated in the 2003 Macau Grand Prix with the Signature team, Nicolas turned his attention to endurance racing in 2008. Earning his first laurels with Team Oreca Matmut, he finished third in the FIA WEC with Toyota in 2012. In three seasons with the Japanese manufacturer, he won six World Championship races. Winner in LMP2 at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours, he joined Signatech-Alpine for an unforgettable 2016 campaign during which he once again won the Sarthe event and the LMP2 title. Nicolas did it yet again in 2018 and 2019, winning his second LMP2 world title with Alpine. The Frenchman will be one of the pillars of the team in the new challenge represented by Alpine's ascent to Hypercar.
Alpine Elf Matmut Team n°36 NICOLAS LAPIERRE (FRA) Born on 2 April 1984 in Thonon-les-Bains (France) FIA driver category: Platinum With a solid record of success in the single-seater category that culminated in the 2003 Macau Grand Prix with the Signature team, Nicolas turned his attention to endurance racing in 2008. Earning his first laurels with Team Oreca Matmut, he finished third in the FIA WEC with Toyota in 2012. In three seasons with the Japanese manufacturer, he won six World Championship races. Winner in LMP2 at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours, he joined Signatech-Alpine for an unforgettable 2016 campaign during which he once again won the Sarthe event and the LMP2 title. Nicolas did it yet again in 2018 and 2019, winning his second LMP2 world title with Alpine. The Frenchman will be one of the pillars of the team in the new challenge represented by Alpine's ascent to Hypercar. In short 2020 FIA WEC – LMP2 5th 2019 FIA WEC – LMP2 1st 2017 FIA WEC – LMP2 6th 2016 FIA WEC – LMP2 1st 2015 FIA WEC – LMP2 5th 2014 FIA WEC 6th 2013 FIA WEC 4th 2012 FIA WEC 3rd 2010 Le Mans Series – LMP1 2nd 2009 Le Mans Series – LMP1 3rd 2009 Asian Le Mans Series – LMP1 3rd 2006 A1 GP 1st 2004 Formula 3 Euro Series 3rd 2003 Formula 3 Grand Prix of Macau 1st ANDRÉ NEGRÃO (BRA) Born on 17 June 1992 in Sao Paulo (Brazil) FIA driver category: Gold Remaining true to his heritage, André crossed the Atlantic to build his experience in Europe. Exploring junior formulas on both sides of the ocean, the Brazilian launched into endurance racing with Signatech Alpine Matmut during the 2017 season. Quickly adapting to the new prototypes, André surprised with his first podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His efforts earned him a place in the N°36 car at the wheel for the 2018-2019 Super season, during which he contributed to Alpine's two victories in the Sarthe event . André will be a valuable asset in the challenge of the premier class. In short 2020 FIA WEC – LMP2 9th 2019 FIA WEC – LMP2 1st 2017 FIA WEC – LMP2 5th 2016 Indy Lights – 7th 2015 GP2 Series – 20th 2014 GP2 Series – 21st 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 Series – 10th 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series – 15th 2012 F3 Brazil Open – 2nd 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series – 20th 2010 Formula Renault Eurocup – 13th 2010 F3 Brazil Open – 2nd 2009 Formula Renault Italy – 15th 2008 Formula Renault Portugal Winter Series – 3rd MATTHIEU VAXIVIERE (FRA) Born on 3 December 1994 in Limoges (France) FIA driver category: Gold After making a remarkable debut in karting, Matthieu began his career as a single-seater driver in Formula 4. He won the French F4 Championship in 2011, then took part in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2012 and 2013 competing against Alpine F1 Team Driver Esteban Ocon. In 2014, he became a Lotus F1 Junior Team driver while participating in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, a championship in which he finished second in 2015. In 2016, he raced in Formula V8 3.5 and the Asian Le Mans Series and by 2017, he took part in his first Le Mans 24 Hours in the LMP2 category. He obtained three podiums in the 2018 FIA WEC Championship. In 2019, he finished the Le Mans 24 Hours in third position, while having set the best race lap with a 3mins 27.611seconds. Matthieu did it again in 2020 with a second podium in a row in LMP2. In short 2020 24H du Mans – LMP2 3rd 2019 24H du Mans – LMP2 3rd 2019 12H de Sebring et Petit Le Mans – DPI 2nd 2018 FIA WEC – LMP2 3 podiums 2017 Asian Le Mans Series – GT3 1st 2016 Trophée Andros électrique – 1st 2015 Formula 3.5 Series – 2nd 2014 FIA WEC GTE – 3 podiums 2013 Eurocup Formula Renault 2012 Eurocup Formula Renault 2011 F4 France Championship– 1st
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