The Alpine A470 #35 of Nelson Panciatici, Pierre Ragues and André Negrão finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans in fourth position in the LMP2 category. But due to Vaillante Rebellion #13’s disqualification, it was promoted to third place.
“Although it’s late in coming, this decision shows the sporting fairness applied in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans”, Alpine Deputy Managing Director Bernard Ollivier commented.
“We are just disappointed that our team was unable to celebrate the result of the #35 car on the podium. Following the victory of the A442B in 1978, the fourth place of the #35 A470 is now Alpine’s second best overall result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
The Alpine A470 #35 was promoted to third place in the LPM2 category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Team principal Philippe Sinault added:
“The Stewards’ decision means that Alpine claimed a third LMP2 podium finish at Le Mans in four years. So that’s some consolation for the team. Some of the infringements penalised were noted and questioned at the end of the morning, however. So it’s a shame that the decision was only taken after the finish. I don’t like to go back over races with ‘what ifs’. But it is worth bearing in mind that André Negrão was fighting with the #13 car. He had to push very hard. And put a bit more pressure on the brakes, which failed 50 minutes from the end. It was undoubtedly at that point that our hopes of an outright podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans evaporated.”
Fiinalement 3ème des 24 Heures du Mans Heureux de le partager avec l’équipe mais une pensée pour @rebellion_racing pour leur belle course ! pic.twitter.com/ByDgJoRmqi
— Nelson Panciatici (@nelsonpancia) June 19, 2017
