Following the FIA Court of Appeal’s final decision on G-Drive Racing/TDS Racing’s appeal on the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours result, Signatech Alpine Matmut was presented with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winners trophy at the Fuji Speedway today.

The trophy was presented by President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest Pierre Fillon to Philippe Sinault, Signatech Alpine team principal, together with Regis Fricotté, commercial director at Alpine, and the team’s chief mechanic, David Vincent.

The team’s three drivers, Nicolas Lapierre, Pierre Thiriet and Andre Negrao were also present.

Signtech Alpine now has two Le Mans LMP2 wins in three years, for Lapierre it’s his third class win and the first for Thiriet and Negrao. The 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours was, Thiriet’s eighth start, it adds to his resume which includes two second place finishes in LMP2.

“A win at Le Mans is always a special moment even if we have had to wait a long time to celebrate it and the champagne is a little warm” Signatech Alpine celebrates Le Mans win! Congratulations! https://t.co/lJm9zTOll2@SignatechAlpine @NegraoAndre @Nico_Lapierre #PierreThiriet pic.twitter.com/srJHri3yaW — WEC🇯🇵🗻 (@FIAWEC) October 12, 2018

Lapierre meanwhile, has started the Le Mans 24 Hours 11 times, and won his class in each of the three times he’s been entered in LMP2.

DSC understands that for the time being, the trophy in Signatech Alpine’s possession is an identical replica, until such time as the trophy awarded to G-Drive Racing at Le Mans can be arranged to be returned from Russia.