24 Hours of Le Mans: Alpine withdraws twice
Both Alpines retired within minutes of each other. Both suffered mechanical problems.
Terrible images for the French. At 8:46 p.m., the Alpine #35, then being driven by Ferdinand Habsburg, emitted a large amount of smoke. A few meters further, the Austrian went straight to park his Hypercar in the escape lane. He got out of the car and stopped there.
(c) It’s very hard for us. It’s bitter. We’ve done a huge job since the start of the 24 Hours. The pace was good. It’s motorsport. We have to accept it. These are things that can happen »,” said Paul-Loup Chatin, from #35, speaking to WEC TV.
Only a few minutes later, sister car #36 was brought back into the garage. The mechanics immediately removed the engine hood and inspected the mechanics. The French team finally announced the withdrawal of the Hypercar with the trio Lapierre – Schumacher – Vaxivière.
For the moment, Alpine has not made any comment on the exact reason for the abandonment of the #36.
