Difference between revisions of "Voeckler Grand Prix Engineering"

Revision as of 09:26, 13 April 2014

Voeckler Grand Prix Engineering (formerly Alstom Grand Prix Engineering), often shortened to Voeckler GPE or Voeckler, is a racing team owned by former Formula One driver Jérémy-Étienne Voeckler based in Paris, France.

Voeckler GPE currently compete in a variety of top-level racing categories, including F1RWRS, F2RWRS and F3RWRS among others.

History

Alstom GPE: Prost GP

Alstom GPE was founded approximately a third of the way through the 2001 Prost GP season to provide team owner Jérémy-Étienne's younger brother Frédéric-Maxime Voeckler a drive in the series. Frédéric-Maxime came in to the series having most recently driven in the F1RGP2C series with mixed results.

Despite the seemingly slap-dash formation of the team, F-M Voeckler was surprisingly competitive from the outset, regularly scoring podiums straight away. His consistency saw him climb above several full-time drivers very quickly, which eventually culiminated in his first series victory in Japan.

At Round 12 in Germany, Alstom expanded to a two car operation, with team principal Jérémy-Étienne Voeckler stepping into the #4 car. The extra points scored by the team principal helped Alstom to climb the Teams' Championship standings quickly.

While others around them in the championship faltered, Alstom surged ahead with consistent points finishes, especially from lead driver Frédéric-Maxime Voeckler who regularly finished on the podium throughout the campaign. The younger Voeckler snatched the lead of the Drivers Championship at the penultimate round, and a steady second place finish at the finale in Belgium secured the title at his first attempt.

Frédéric-Maxime Voeckler's outstanding performance in the drivers championship, matched with sporadic points finishes by team principal Jérémy-Étienne Voeckler was enough for Alstom to clinch the Teams' Championship at the same time, ensuring that in Prost GP's brief history, Alstom GPE would have a 100% record for titles won.

Alstom IBR: Venture into CART

At the end of 2001, it was announced the Prost GP management would be moving their franchise to America, taking over the open-wheel CART series from 2002 onwards. With little experience in American racing, Alstom GPE initiated a partnership with former works Chevrolet constructor Il Barone Rampante. The newly formed team was named Alstom IBR, with Jérémy-Étienne Voeckler becoming team co-principal alongside Alessandro Linari. Both he and Frédéric-Maxime would remain as drivers for the newly created parternship, with Joey Alliot joining the team.

However, the beginning of the year was a disappointing one, with both Jérémy-Étienne Voeckler and Joey Alliot eventually departing, in favour of Oriol Servia and Dennis Mignolet respectively. In a much stronger second half of the year, Servia would go on to win the AltCART title, edging out team-mate Frédéric-Maxime for the honours.

However, the AltCART series folded at the end of the year, and with it Alstom GPE wound down its activities.

Voeckler GPE: New beginnings in RWRS

Following the 2016 RWRS season, Il Barone Rampante was in deep trouble after the arrest of team CEO Alessandro Linari, and a budget shortfall for the following year. Voeckler Capitaux purchased the Italian racing conglomerate and rebranded as Voeckler GPE, again with Jérémy-Étienne Voeckler at the helm.

Results