He will be at Silverstone this coming weekend to listen, watch and familiarize himself with his new environment. At 25 years old, after five seasons in single-seaters, André Negrao - who raced last year in Indylights after getting noticed in GP2 with Arden and F. Renault 3.5 with Draco - will make his big debut in prototypes with Alpine at the WEC 6 Hours of Spa next month (May 4-6) before participating in his first 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the Prologue in Monza, the young Brazilian driver born in Sao Paulo took in a great deal: the WEC, driving an LM P2 and Philippe Sinault's Signatech team representing Alpine. It was an experience he shared with Patrick Grandidier, a well-known figure in French motorsports, who has followed his career since it began. The former mechanic with the Jordan outfit in F1 has worked with the Negrao family for 16 years. He took care of its stockcar team, then the Draco outfit when it was bought by Gùto, André's father.

"When André found himself at a crossroads at the end of last year," explains Patrick Grandidier, "I told them the WEC was the championship he needed to turn to. A week after that conversation, they asked me if I could find them a team. I contacted the entire paddock, but it quickly became clear the choice was Alpine. At first, I looked in the ELMS but I didn't find any interesting spots. There was a possibility of Signatech's second car which was not going to participate in the championship full-time, and Philippe (Sinault, Ed.) proposed five races and Le Mans at a competitive rate. To debut with the defending champion team and winner at Le Mans in LM P2 is a wonderful opportunity, especially since he gained the status of Alpine driver. It was a done deal a week later in Brazil. André met the team in Bourges eight days before the Prologue in Monza. When he hit the track on Saturday morning, it was the first time he had gotten in a closed cockpit car."

After two pleasant laps, he already felt comfortable and the different runs conducted over the two days ended up convincing him. "It's fantastic," he explained that evening at the Prologue. "These LM P2s are great to drive. My experience in 3.5, GP2 and Indylights means the power and braking don't shock me. I was able to adapt immediately but, of course, I'm still not at the level of looking at tenths of a second."

The timesheet is one thing, but other challenges await him as well. "Driving position, settings, I keep telling him everything in endurance racing is all about compromise," explains his friend and coach, Patrick Grandidier. "Also on the track, traffic management, etc. There is plenty to learn. This year, it's a bit of a program of getting one's bearings and if he enjoys it, we'll be more consistent next year. After Spa and Le Mans, he will know if he wants to continue down this road in endurance racing. Le Mans, I've warned him, takes 20 days. We'll get to Le Mans on May 30th and won't leave until after the race, but André wants to experience the 24 Hours of Le Mans fully. He can't wait."

The day after the Prologue, André went to Paris for testing in the AOT simulator before heading to Silverstone."As he is not familiar with the format of the WEC," continues Patrick Grandidier, "I insisted we take part. He is going to attend all the briefings, debriefings, watch how refuelings are done, etc. It's important for him to be all-in before Spa." Especially since after that the 24 Hours comes quickly...

Photo: Copyright - Vision Sport Agency/ACO