Alpine A424 Completes First Test Outing

The Alpine A424 has completed its first significant test outing in France ahead of a program in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.

After an initial low-speed run at the end of August, the French LMDh car, built around the Oreca spine, completed 1,000 kilometers in a multi-day test session at Circuit Paul Ricard earlier this week.

Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere and Charles Milesi shared the wheel of the car dring the program, which began on Monday with a shakedown at the Le Castellet airport adjacent to the circuit.

The car then took to the track proper on Tuesday with a series of short runs, focused on operational work on the car’s main components including gearbox, brakes and cooling system as well as the turbocharged 3.4-litre Mecachrome V6 engine.

After more running late on Wednesday, the test was concluded with longer runs during the final day on Thursday ending with a stint of around 30 laps a total of over 700 km.

“For the first time in our history, we have the opportunity to be involved in such a large-scale project right from the start,” said team principal Philippe Sinault.

“Seeing the A424 take to the track for the first time was a real thrill. This project also brings its share of challenges, as the Alpine Racing teams and our own are working together to get the most out of the Alpine A424.

“The first overall impression is rather positive, and the absence of blocking problems since the first laps has enabled us to get to know the car fairly quickly. Our knowledge of the car will grow as the development tests continue.

“The next six months will certainly be intense until our first race in Qatar, but everyone in the team is more than motivated to rise to the challenge.”

Further tests are scheduled as Alpine works towards the homologation and race debut of the A424, with a test at Motorland Aragon planned for next month.