24h Le Mans
If drivers are able to take center stage it is because many people work behind the scenes. In 1978, Marcel Hubert, aerodynamics engineer, stepped in to the spotlight thanks to the win of the Renault Alpine A442B at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He passed away on March 5th.
Alpine’s history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans owes a lot to the creator of the marque, Jean Rédélé, who made the decision to take it from the road to circuits, but also to two engineers: André de Cortanze, future father of the Peugeot 905 that won at the 24 Hours in 1992 and 1993, and Marcel Hubert. A pioneer in the field of aerodynamics, Hubert took part in the Le Mans adventure from its beginning in 1963 to victory in 1978.
Though from the start the Alpines proved fast thanks to Hubert’s many aerodynamic discoveries, they failed in terms of reliability. Nonetheless, in 1966, the Alpine A210 allowed the French constructor to achieve a one-two-three in the energy efficiency index: not only did the Alpines go fast, they consumed little thanks to “small” engines.
Unfortunately, it was not enough to go after the overall win, which is why a new car, the A220, came out in 1968. Sadly, that time it was the engine that didn't measure up. The disappointment was worsened by the fact Mauro Bianchi, grandfather of the late Jules Bianchi, was involved in an accident that burned him gravely.
After a final last stand in 1969 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Alpine left endurance for rally. It wasn't until 1975 that an Alpine, the A441, was seen again at Le Mans surrounded by a lot of publicity as the driver line-up, Lella Lombardi and Marie-Claude Beaumont, was 100% female. In the meantime, in 1973, Alpine joined the ranks of Renault and so the means were no longer the same, especially since the marque decided to dedicate itself solely to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Renault Alpine in 1977.
Though the Alpine A442 kept the lead for 17 hours thanks to poleman Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Derek Bell, future five-time winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it had to throw in the towel and leave the win to Porsche. The Alpine A442's superior aerodynamics, which Hubert never stopped enhancing, allowed Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud to bring victory at the 24 Hours to Renault Alpine in 1978. It marked the end of Alpine's adventure at the Le Mans, Renault preferring to move on to F1.
Hubert then let his talent serve the top single-seaters discipline until his retirement, which Yves Courage encouraged him out of when he wanted to take on the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The engineer, designer of the Cougars, remained many years with Yves Courage without reuniting with victory.
Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
