Alpine boss Q&A: “LMP1, LMP2 and GT are being considered”

It’s been quite a busy few years for Philippe Sinault, managing director of Signatech, and successful too. His the team are in charge of representing Alpine in the FIA WEC Championship, and after winning last season’s ELMS title have bigger plans in the works.

How do you assess the performance of the team over the first half of the season ?

“Let’s be honest. We are disappointed. We did not finish in Silverstone after suffering our first mechanical failure in four years. Then we ended up at an honest fifth position in Spa. In Le Mans, we had the pace to finish third or fourth. Unfortunately, just before mid-race, we had to retire after our driver went off track.

“Overall we understand why we are where we are. I am not concerned : we have a solid team of mechanics and drivers. We can turnaround this situation.”

Was switching championship (from ELMS to WEC) a significant change for your team?

“Not really, because the competition is fierce in both championships. The only difference is from an organizational and logistical stand point. And we know how to handle that.”

Your car was third in WEC Nurburgring qualifying, within one second of the fastest LMP2 time. What have you done to close this gap?

“We did not make any significant changes to the car. This is really where we expect the car to be. We just set it up in its sprint configuration and it responded very well to that.”

The Alpine Celebration GT car was presented at Le Mans (BELOW). Can you give us an update on this program?

“Alpine wants to get this GT right. The base case remains a public presentation of the GT towards the end of 2016 and its production in 2017.”

Are there any considerations for the GT to compete in any endurance championships?

“I have put three folders on Alpine’s board of directors' desk. One of which includes indeed the opportunity of having Signatech manage a GT program for Alpine in the future.”

What are the two other folders about?

“Endurance racing is really at the heart of Alpine’s strategy. So we also offered Alpine two possible programs: one is in LMP1 and one is in LMP2. I wont go into the programs details yet. It is premature. As you know, the board of Renault is currently re-assessing its participation in all championships including F1. We don’t know what will come out of that yet but for now, LMP1, LMP2 and GT options are being investigated.

“Whatever the board decides, we are hopefull we can keep on being their technical and racing partners in the future.”

Originally on DailySportsCar.com