The reserve driver of Alpine Endurance, Jules Gounon, shared in an interview that among all the LMDh cars, the Alpine A424 is particularly stiff on track. Gounon replaced Ferdinand Habsburg in the #35 Alpine A424 car at the 6 Hours of Imola, the second round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship. Habsburg suffered injuries in a test at Motorland Aragon, fracturing two lumbar vertebrae. Gounon will join his teammates Charles Milesi and Paul Loup Chatin in driving the car at Imola.
Gounon mentioned that the stiffness of the car requires a different driving style. As a factory driver for Mercedes-AMG GT3 with numerous victories, Gounon is still adapting to the A424 and its driving characteristics. He explained that the car feels less responsive compared to a GT, and unexpected moments sometimes occur. Despite the challenges, Gounon is determined to do his best and fill Habsburg’s spot.
Gounon had already driven the A424 during a test in Barcelona and an endurance test at Motorland Aragon. He noted that the transition from a GT to the A424 seems quick and unnatural, but with each session, he becomes more comfortable and confident. Gounon emphasized the importance of adapting to the different procedures and braking points of the A424, as well as managing the increased speed.
While traffic management is crucial at Imola, Gounon believes his experience in GTs will be beneficial. However, he expressed caution regarding wheel lock-ups and collisions with other cars. Gounon acknowledged that there is still work to be done in terms of qualifying position and race performance, but the team is focused on learning and improving.
In the classification, Alpine secured the 17th and 18th positions, requiring Gounon and his teammates to move forward to score points. Their previous race in Qatar demonstrated their ability to achieve this, and they aim to replicate that success in Imola.
