LAPIERRE Nicolas (fra), from Alpine Endurance Team, Alpine A424, portrait during the FIA World Endurance Championship 2024 Prologue, from February 24 to 26, 2024, at the Losail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar – Photo by Julien Delfosse / DPPI
Credit: Julien Delfosse / DPPI
Lapierre currently holds the record for being the driver with the most service time in the FIA World Endurance Championship, having competed in all seasons up to the present moment.
However, his involvement in sports car racing started long before the inaugural season in 2012. This year, he showed his loyalty to Alpine by joining them in the Hypercar category.
Throughout his career, Lapierre has achieved numerous successes, including a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, four class wins in LMP2 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two WEC LMP2 titles.
At 40 years old, Lapierre’s passion for sports cars remains strong, as he discovered his love for the discipline in the late 2000s, when his focus shifted from single-seaters and the dream of Formula 1.
In 2007, during his final season in GP2, Lapierre made his debut in sports car racing, driving the Oreca team’s Saleen S7-R GT1 alongside teammates Stephane Ortelli and Soheil Ayari.
Lapierre recalled: “At the time, there weren’t many young drivers competing in sports cars. Le Mans and endurance races were seen as the second part of a career, so I was a little surprised. It was Hugues de Chaunac, the founder and head of Oreca, who called me while I was still competing in GP2. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Le Mans. I was more focused on single-seaters and my ultimate goal was Formula 1. However, as my career in GP2 progressed, I realized that the path to F1 was narrowing. So I decided to broaden my horizons and check out this race. I went to Le Mans in 2007 and it was a completely different experience. I had to take good care of the car, be cautious with the engine, and follow a specific lap time. It was super exciting and suited me more than single-seaters, where sometimes I felt too nice to people.”
Although Lapierre achieved notable feats in single-seaters, including a victory at the Macau GP and two wins in GP2, he found sports car racing to be a more rewarding discipline. He explained: “When I went to Le Mans, I realized I wasn’t alone in the car. I had teammates and I wanted them to do well so that our overall result would be better. I fell in love with this category and the environment. The car may not have been as fun to drive as a GP2 car, but the paddock and atmosphere suited me better. After that, Oreca approached me and asked me to sign a long-term contract with them as they were returning to prototypes. I had the option to continue in GP2 with one of the best teams at the time, but I declined and switched to sports cars in 2008. It was not a common change, as most drivers were focused on DTM, Formula Nippon, or IndyCar. But I really fell in love with sports cars and have been competing in this discipline ever since.”
Lapierre’s partnership with Oreca continued as he ventured into LMP1 with an open-cockpit prototype and later joined the Peugeot LMP1 project. He has been associated with Oreca for most of his career and even now, the chassis of the Alpine A424 LMDh is developed by Oreca.
One of the key figures in Lapierre’s career is Hugues de Chaunac, who played a crucial role in his journey. De Chaunac’s Oreca brand partnered with Toyota for the WEC hybrid project from 2012 to 2015. Lapierre described De Chaunac as charismatic and initially intimidating, but also a kind person once trust was established. Lapierre acknowledged the importance of De Chaunac in his career, as they have been working together for many years.
In 2015, Lapierre achieved his first victory at Le Mans in the LMP2 class with KCMG, driving an Oreca 05. Since 2016, Lapierre has predominantly competed for Alpine, reuniting with Philippe Sinault’s Signatech (or Signature) team, with whom he had worked at the beginning of his career. Lapierre expressed his close relationship with Sinault, who has taken care of him since he was a young driver. Sinault played a significant role in Lapierre’s development and success, and their collaboration has been fruitful, including three Le Mans victories together.
In 2023, Lapierre focused on developing his own Cool Racing LMP2 team as team principal, but refrained from competing except for Alpine’s commitments in the LMP2 WEC. Lapierre emphasized the special relationship he shares with Sinault, who has supported him throughout his career. Sinault’s ability to understand and connect with drivers is admirable, and he excels in building strong teams.
This year, Alpine made its official debut in the Hypercar category with two A424 LMDh cars, facing fierce competition from nine manufacturers and 19 Hypercars. They completed two rounds of the 2024 FIA WEC season, with points earned in the season opener and some challenges at Imola. Lapierre praised his teammate Mick Schumacher, who quickly adapted to sports car racing and showed impressive performance in rainy conditions.
Looking to the future, Alpine will compete in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, followed by the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. This will be Alpine’s first appearance in the top category at Le Mans in 46 years. Lapierre expressed the team’s focus on finishing races and gathering valuable data in their first season. They aim to improve race by race and set clear goals for the next season. Lapierre acknowledged the competitiveness of the field and the need for Alpine to go through a year of learning before aiming higher in the future.
© 2024
The world of sports is full of excitement and surprises, and 2024 is no different. With several thrilling competitions taking place around the world, fans are eager to see their favorite teams in action.
In football, the Champions League is heating up, with top-level teams competing for the coveted title. The games have been full of excitement and twists, keeping fans glued to their screens.
Furthermore, basketball is also heating up the courts. The NBA is in full swing, with the best players in the world showcasing their skills. Each game is an intense battle, with incredible baskets and spectacular plays.
We can’t forget about motorsports, which are always full of adrenaline. Formula 1 is providing exciting races, with skilled drivers competing for every turn. And on the race tracks, motorcycles are speeding at full throttle, ensuring thrilling moments for fans.
Additionally, tennis fans also have much to celebrate. The major tournaments are bringing incredible matches, with the best players in the world showcasing their talent on the courts. Every point is contested with intensity, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
With so many exciting competitions happening, sports fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate. No matter which sport you prefer, there will certainly be something thrilling to follow. So grab your popcorn, sit back comfortably, and enjoy all the action that 2024 has to offer.
