The 2019/2020 FIA World Endurance Championship approaches its halfway point with the fourth race of the eight-event season taking place this weekend in Bahrain.

 

For Pierre Ragues and the Signatech Alpine Elf team, the primary objective is to return to podium-scoring ways after a fighting fourth in Shanghai last time out. Bahrain will represent the longest race of the season so far, with eight hours of racing around the 15-turn, 5.412km circuit from mid-afternoon into night. 

 

In a competitive field, nine LMP2 entrants will battle it out with a total of 31 cars set to participate in the final FIA WEC race of the decade. The #36 Alpine A470 has shown its potential in the closely fought category, with second place at Silverstone remaining the highlight of the season to date. 

 

Pierre has previously secured a podium in Bahrain, so will be looking to hit the ground running when free practice begins on Thursday. Sharing driving duties once again with Thomas Laurent and Andre Negrão, Pierre aims to end the calendar year with a strong result before the championship enters its second half in 2020. 

Pierre said: “There’s a slightly unusual feel to this event as it’s so close to the Christmas and New Year break, yet still we’re only at round four of the championship. We certainly want an early present in Bahrain and will do all we can to compete for the podium positions. There is a competitive entry list in LMP2 for this race, so we know it won’t be straightforward. Bahrain is a track I know well, and one where I have previously been on the podium, but this will be a special one from day into night conditions. After a reasonable 4 Hours of Shanghai, we hope to demonstrate our pace in the longest race of the season so far. Let’s hope after eight hours of racing in Bahrain we can finish with a representative result. The Alpine A470 has shown its potential, our technical package is strong and there’s no doubting the motivation in the team. Bring it on!”  

 

 

14:00-15:30 Free Practice 1

18:30-20:00 Free Practice 2

 

11:15-12:15 Free Practice 3

17:10-17:30 LMP1 and LMP2 Qualifying

 

15:00-23:00 8 Hours of Bahrain

 

 

1. F. van Eerd / G. van der Garde 51 points

2. G. Aubry / H-P. Tung / W. Stevens 49 points

3. A. Negrao / P. Ragues / T. Laurent 38 points

 

1. Racing Team Nederland 51 points

2. Jackie Chan DC Racing 49 points

3. Signatech Alpine Elf         38 points