And even more encouraging is a look at the pace over a stint.
Comparing the 7 to the 709.
Best average stint speed (ignoring the first and last lap) was 5th stint for 709. 29 lap stint averaging 1:38.2. The Toyota no.7 was it's 6th stint, 29 laps and 1:37.8.
Only 0.4s behind is pretty good
The Alpine's best was 1:38.5 - 0.3s behind the 709.