Everything still to race for in the Alpine ELF Cup Series!

Twenty-three drivers were present for the penultimate round of the 2024 calendar at Circuit Paul Ricard, where Charles Roussanne had his first chance to clinch the title.

RACE 1: JOUSSET KEEPS HIS HOPES ALIVE

While Léo Jousset set the pace in Free Practice 1, Charles Roussanne took over in the afternoon. The following day, Pierre Sancinéna (Race Cars Consulting) got the better of the two title contenders to take pole on his 33rd birthday. The first Alpine ELF Cup Series title-winner was passed at the start by his teammate Léo Jousset. Meanwhile, Charles Roussanne slipped behind Mateo Herrero (Herrero Racing), Mattéo Nomblot (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) and Thibaut Bossy.

The action quickly turned to the battle for third place. Charles Roussanne was back on the provisional podium by lap four, but Mateo Herrero answered two laps later. Lukas Papin (Schumacher CLRT) kept the battle going as he surprised his two rivals later on.

Léo Jousset extended his advantage to more than 15 seconds after Pierre Sancinéna retired after a technical issue on the penultimate lap. Charles Roussanne was promoted to second place after penalties for Lukas Papin, guilty of failing to surrender a position in a duel, and Mateo Herrero, for track limits.

Fourth-placed Mattéo Nomblot scored his career-best result ahead of Thibaut Bossy, who narrowly won the Challengers race on his birthday despite a slow puncture and the return of Sandro Perissoutti (Code Racing Development). Florian Coruble, Sami Dhahri (VPS Racing) and Clément Berlié (VPS Racing) completed the top ten after a lively late-race battle, while Laurent Richard won the Gentlemen category.

RACE 2: ROUSSANNE WINS BUT WILL HAVE TO WAIT

On Sunday, Léo Jousset continued his fine form, claiming pole position in a rain-affected qualifying session. Pierre Sancinéna gave Race Cars Consulting a lockout of the front row ahead of Charles Roussanne, Mateo Herrero and Thibaut Bossy.

With the track still damp, Pierre Sancinéna made a clean getaway to take the lead before going wide at the entrance to the Hôtel bend. He let Léo Jousset through but Charles Roussanne took advantage of the situation to infiltrate at the inside of Le Beausset's double-right. However, Léo Jousset resisted before a safety car period following an incident involving Clément Berlié, Sandro Perissoutti and Thibaut Bossy, who received a drive-through penalty for his responsibility.

The leading trio remained unchanged on the restart, but Charles Roussanne stepped up the pressure until he found the gap on Léo Jousset. Behind them, Lukas Papin and Mattéo Nomblot surprised Pierre Sancinéna, while the battle for sixth place was also heating up between Enzo Carvalhido (Sport Auto Racing) and Florian Coruble.

With the fastest lap of the race, Charles Roussanne took the victory by more than four seconds over Léo Jousset. Lukas Papin once again completed the podium, holding off Mattéo Nomblot's comeback. Pierre Sancinéna did the same against Enzo Carvalhido for fifth place. Florian Coruble won the Challengers category, ahead of Sami Dhahri, Mateo Herrero and Philippe Bourgois, who led from start to finish in the Gentlemen category.

All five titles will now be decided at Monza (18-20 October). Charles Roussanne will face Léo Jousset for the overall crown and in the Junior category. Meanwhile, Thibaut Bossy and Florian Coruble will battle for the Challengers crown. At the same time, a four-way tussle between Frédéric de Brabant (Chazel Technologie Course), Laurent Richard, Philippe Bourgois and Alain Jacono (Chazel Technologie Course) will settle the title in the Gentlemen category. VPS Racing, Race Cars Consulting, Chazel Technologie Course Junior, and Schumacher CLRT will vie for the Team title.

Also at Le Castellet, the Alpine ELF Cup Series saw Gaël Castelli, its 2019 winner, take his maiden French FFSA GT Championship title. Alpine also excelled, winning the Pro-Am team title with Schumacher CLRT, a few weeks after Laurent Hurgon - Pascal Huteau, the crew of the Lyon-based structure's Alpine A110 GT4 Evo, took the GT4 European Series crown.

QUOTES

Léo Jousset (Race 1 winner)

I started very well on Saturday and was able to set the pace quickly to open up a gap that I maintained by being consistent. However, I was a bit disappointed when Pierre retired. I always knew the title would be hard to come by, but we won't give up as long as it's mathematically possible.

Charles Roussanne (Race 2 winner)

It was a somewhat more difficult weekend with a slight performance deficit in the dry, but we controlled race two from start to finish in the rain. I need to stay focused at Monza. All of us in the team remain extremely confident.

Thibaut Bossy (Challengers category winner race 1)

After a slightly disappointing qualifying, I was a little lucky to win on Saturday after suffering a slow puncture at the end of the race. Sandro Perissoutti could have snatched first place from me had there been two more corners. The aim was to go into the Monza season finale with the lead, so it's up to me now!

Florian Coruble (Challengers category winner race 2)

My pace could have been better on Saturday, so I'm happy with my category win on Sunday. It gave me the points I needed to challenge Thibaut Bossy for the title so there's something positive to take away from this weekend.

Laurent Richard (Gentlemen category race 1)

I'm quite pleased with the weekend, especially Saturday with a good qualifying session and victory on a circuit where I've never had too much success. I managed to stay clean at the start before taking advantage of a mistake by David Barrere and a penalty by Philippe Bourgois to score maximum points. I had great success at Monza in 2022, so I'd like to do it again and finally win a title!

Philippe Bourgois (Gentlemen category race 2)

I lost the win on Saturday because of a small mistake at the start, but I was able to bounce back on Sunday and enjoy myself. I want to thank Race Cars Consulting, whom I take my hat off, as I've never been so well served in motorsport. I'm sorry I couldn't make the most of their thoroughness this season. We won’t have our fate in our hands at Monza, but it's not over yet!

CLASSIFICATIONS

Race 1

1. Léo Jousset (Race Cars Consulting) 13 laps

2. Charles Roussanne (VPS Racing) +1615s

3. Lukas Papin (Schumacher CLRT) +1572s*

4. Mattéo Nomblot (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) +1744s

5. Thibaut Bossy (Herrero Racing) +2557s

Pole position: Pierre Sancinéna (Race Cars Consulting) – 2m1409s

Fastest lap: Léo Jousset (Race Cars Consulting) – 2m1556s

* penalised one position post-race

Race 2

1. Charles Roussanne (VPS Racing) 10 laps

2. Léo Jousset (Race Cars Consulting) +470s

3. Lukas Papin (Schumacher CLRT) +767s

4. Mattéo Nomblot (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) +820s

5. Pierre Sancinéna (Race Cars Consulting) +1191s

Pole position: Léo Jousset (Race Cars Consulting) – 2m1414s

Fastest lap: Charles Roussanne (VPS Racing) – 2m3135s

General classification*

1. Charles Roussanne – 192 points

2. Léo Jousset – 151 points

3. Lukas Papin – 92 points

4. Enzo Geraci – 66 points

5. Florian Coruble – 63 points

* subject to final technical checks