Alpine is determined to address the engine issue that forced an early end to its Le Mans 24 Hours campaign during the recent Interlagos World Endurance Championship round. The French manufacturer faced a valve problem that caused both of its A424 LMDhs to retire within the first six hours at Le Mans. Fortunately, Alpine was aware of this issue before heading into the WEC race in Sao Paulo.
Signatech team boss Philippe Sinault reassured fans that Alpine would be managing the engine differently to prevent a recurrence of the valve problem during the six-hour race in Brazil. While no new parts have been introduced for the Sao Paulo 6 Hours, Sinault expressed confidence that they could avoid the same issue.
Alpine’s motorsport boss Bruno Famin previously admitted to concerns about the reliability of the 3.4-liter single-turbo V6 engine. Sinault elaborated on this, revealing that the valve problem had surfaced during testing before Le Mans, although it had never occurred so early in the past.
To address the issue, Alpine is working on developing new engine parts at its Viry-Chatillon engine HQ near Paris, with expectations of having them ready before the end of the 2024 season. Despite facing challenges during practice sessions at Interlagos, the team remains optimistic about their performance in the upcoming race.
During the second free practice at Interlagos, the #36 Alpine completed only four laps due to a precautionary turbo change. Both A424 cars failed to qualify for the Hyperpole session, with Mick Schumacher finishing 11th and Charles Milesi in 13th position. Despite these setbacks, Alpine remains focused on improving and overcoming the engine issues that have plagued them in recent races.
Looking ahead, Alpine is determined to showcase its potential and competitiveness in the World Endurance Championship. With ongoing developments to address engine reliability, the team is committed to delivering strong performances and aiming for better results in the upcoming races. Stay tuned for more updates on Alpine’s progress and performance in the WEC.