Jules Gounon is set to make a return to the Alpine Endurance Team’s lineup for the upcoming 6 Hours of Fuji, replacing Paul-Loup Chatin.
The penultimate round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship season scheduled for September 15, 2024, will be Gounon’s third outing of the year and a pivotal opportunity for him to showcase his skills in the highly competitive Hypercar category.
As a reserve driver for the Alpine Endurance Team, Jules Gounon has been given the chance to step into the No. 35 A424 Hypercar, a position typically held by Paul-Loup Chatin.
The strategic decision was made prior to the season allowing the Frenchman to gain valuable experience and further his development within the team. The team stated he will “continue his Hypercar learning process after his impromptu debuts” and that “Paul-Loup Chatin will return to the #35 car for the 8 Hours of Bahrain.”
His previous appearances in the WEC this season included races at Imola and Spa, where he filled in for Ferdinand Habsburg, who was sidelined due to an injury sustained during a testing accident in March.
The Andorran finished fourteenth and ninth in his stand-in appearances, although he failed to score points at Spa as he did not complete his minimum drive time.
Gounon’s return to the cockpit at the 6 Hours of Fuji race is seen as a crucial step in his career, providing him with the opportunity to adapt to the unique challenges posed by the Speedway circuit known for its technical demands and high-speed straights.
Alpine Endurance Team principal Philippe Sinault gave his preview of the penultimate round of the 2024 season: “Fuji is one of the most iconic races on the calendar and in motorsport, with Mount Fuji as backdrop.
“Every year, this race shows us how important the Alpine community is in Japan and how lucky we are to have their support. With very little time between Austin and Fuji, the logistical side of things is a real tour de force.
“The teams are working intensely, and ours will arrive on Monday to start servicing the cars. The aim is to continue the momentum from Austin, where we showed improvement in our level of performance, even though we still have much to learn.
“We’ve made progress in understanding the setup and the tyres, and we hope to get off to a good start in Free Practice 1. Fuji has several characteristics that we’ll have to get to grips with, starting with its duality with a lengthy straight coupled with a very twisty final sector.
“The weather will also be a factor, as we can expect to encounter a wet track at some point during the weekend. We’ll be ready for every scenario at this round, where we will welcome back Jules Gounon.
“His participation will give him additional experience, and he’ll be able to see the progress made since his last race with us at Spa.”
