Former Haas System 1 racer and present Mercedes reserve Schumacher confirmed a need to regulate himself to the multi-driver format of sportscar racing as a substitute of going out for particular person glory, in keeping with four-time Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Lapierre.
“When Mick got here to his first check, it was in Jerez,” mentioned Schumacher’s Alpine team-mate Lapierre. “For me when drivers are available from single-seaters, much more System 1, there are two choices.
“Both he needs to be an actual sportscar driver, share the automobile and work together with his team-mates or he simply needs to shine.
“I used to be very positively shocked with Mick since day one. He actually wished to work as a group and it fits him fairly good as effectively.
“And his tempo was right away very quick. This we knew [already], we had little doubt about this.
“The one factor now could be to have a bit of bit is site visitors administration and this type of stuff as a result of that is very new [to him].”
Schumacher first received an opportunity to check the Alpine A424 LMDh final October and impressed the French producer sufficient to earn a seat in its line-up for the 2024 season, becoming a member of group stalwarts Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxievere aboard the #36 automobile.
Previous to his Hypercar transfer, the German driver spent two seasons competing in F1 with Haas from 2021-22, scoring a finest end of sixth on his second go to to the Purple Bull Ring for the Austrian Grand Prix.
#36 Alpine Endurance Workforce Alpine A424: Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher, Matthieu Vaxiviere
Photograph by: JEP / Motorsport Images
He stays on Mercedes’ books in a reserve position in 2024 and, if required, could be known as in by the Brackley-based squad even on WEC race weekends.
Lapierre believes Schumacher’s expertise of working with the title-winning Mercedes F1 squad helps deliver a brand new perspective to the Signatech-run Alpine group.
“He’s bringing some great things from System 1 as a result of he’s working with among the best groups on the System 1 grid,” he mentioned.
“So this brings us some contemporary concepts, some new suggestions, which has additionally been very useful on this venture.”
Schumacher spent the 2023 season on the sidelines after being dropped by Haas in 2023 in favour of countryman Nico Hulkenberg, electing to not compete in every other class throughout his first 12 months out of F1.
The German driver reiterated that he’s in search of comeback alternatives in grand prix racing, however made it clear his present focus is on his Hypercar programme with Alpine.
“I am right here now, what the long run holds is kind of tough to foretell and foresee,” mentioned the 24-year-old.
“Clearly, my focus for now could be WEC however I’d be mendacity if I’d say that I haven’t got a watch on System 1.
“There are loads of issues taking place proper now, who is aware of what alternatives are introduced to myself in a few months’ time. I’ll cope with that when it is time.”
Schumacher, Lapierre and Vaxievere completed twelfth general in Saturday’s opening spherical of WEC in Qatar, three laps down on the successful #6 Porsche Penske LMDh of Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre and Andre Lotterer.
Alpine stable-mates Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi scored factors in eighth place aboard the #5 Alpine A424 to steer a profitable return to Hypercar for the French producer.
“We had the tempo to combat for the factors, which was a bit surprising, so we could be pleased about it and pleased with ourselves,” mentioned Schumacher.
“It’s nice the sister automobile managed to attain.”