The countdown has begun. The world’s most grueling and revered endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is upon us—and for Alpine Endurance Team, it marks both a return and a reckoning.
As the FIA World Endurance Championship converges on the Circuit de la Sarthe for its crown jewel event, Alpine arrives with one objective: to translate a year of tireless refinement into performance on the grandest stage. The 93rd running of Le Mans isn’t just another race; it is a proving ground for manufacturers, a theatre for drivers, and a legacy-defining challenge for teams.
A Legacy Forged in La Sarthe
Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, Alpine’s relationship with Le Mans spans decades of drama, triumph, and transformation. Since its debut in 1963, Alpine has experienced everything from a class win in just its second appearance, to overall victory in 1978, to a remarkable return in 2013 with three LMP2 wins.
Most recently, the marque stepped up to the Hypercar category with the bold, sculpted A424 prototype, developed to compete at the sport’s pinnacle. The car’s Le Mans debut last year was bittersweet—qualifying for Hyperpole on its maiden attempt, but ultimately ending in the team’s only double retirement to date.
This year, the mission is clear: prove the progress, and finish what they started.
Testing, Tuning, Tenacity
The Alpine A424 has been sharpened race after race since last year’s Le Mans outing. In seven races, the team has notched podium finishes at Fuji, Imola, and Spa-Francorchamps, showcasing meaningful gains in performance, reliability, and racecraft.
Fresh off their back-to-back podiums in Italy and Belgium, the team regrouped with singular focus. After a full rebuild of the Hypercars at Circuit Paul Ricard, Alpine undertook a final shakedown at Magny-Cours, ensuring every system—from aerodynamics to tyre management—was operating at peak potential.
With operations now fully established in the Sarthe region, Alpine begins its Le Mans campaign with Pesage, the traditional scrutineering held in the heart of Le Mans city. Both A424s—#35 and #36—will be scrutinised by FIA and ACO officials on Friday, 6 June at 4:40 pm, a ceremonial yet crucial checkpoint before battle begins.
Two Crews, One Mission
Alpine returns to Le Mans with a potent combination of experience and ambition. In the #35 car, Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg, and Paul-Loup Chatin bring proven synergy. The #36 entry, piloted by Mick Schumacher, Frédéric Makowiecki, and Jules Gounon, boasts a compelling mix of fresh talent and seasoned endurance experience—each man eager to etch a new chapter in Alpine’s racing saga.
On Sunday, 8 June, all six drivers will hit the 13.626 km circuit for Test Day, a vital exercise in adaptation and fine-tuning. From tyre behaviour on Michelin compounds to night-time pit stop practice, every detail will be analysed in pursuit of race-day perfection.
A Week of Strategy, Speed, and Spectacle
Following Test Day, Alpine will enter a crucial phase of preparation, balancing technical rigour with public celebration. Highlights of race week include:
- Hypercar qualifying on Wednesday evening, narrowing the grid to the fastest 15.
- A two-tiered Hyperpole format on Thursday night, with only ten entries progressing to the ultimate fight for pole.
- Four free practice sessions, including two after dark—a true test of driver endurance and machine resilience.
- A celebratory driver parade on Friday in the city centre.
By Saturday, 14 June at 4:00 pm, 62 cars—21 of them Hypercars—will take the start. And for Alpine, every lap will be an opportunity to showcase their transformation.
Innovation on Display: Alpenglow Hy6
Alpine’s vision extends beyond the race itself. During the weekend, the brand will also demonstrate the Alpenglow Hy6, a stunning prototype powered by a hydrogen-combustion V6. First revealed at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, this experimental car exemplifies Alpine’s commitment to combining innovation with sustainability. Spectators will be treated to live demonstrations of the Hy6 on Thursday and Saturday, offering a glimpse of a carbon-neutral motorsport future.
To mark its 70th anniversary, Alpine will also parade a range of classic and contemporary models around the circuit—an homage to its past and a celebration of the future it’s forging.
A Message from the Team Principal
Philippe Sinault, Team Principal of Alpine Endurance Team, reflects the team’s sharp focus heading into race week:
“We’ve made good progress in all areas for the A424’s second outing at Le Mans. Our podium finishes at Imola and Spa on two very different circuits bear witness to this.
But the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains a truly unique event, which we approach with great humility given the race’s difficulty and the field’s unprecedented quality.Every lap this week must be used to prepare. From mechanics to drivers, we know we’ll need to deliver a flawless performance to earn a good result. We’re ready to take on the challenge.”
As the flag drops on Saturday at 4 pm, Alpine Endurance Team will chase redemption not with bravado, but with determination, discipline, and the unmistakable spirit of Rédélé. The road to Le Mans glory is long, but for Alpine, the wheels are already in motion.
Key Timings to Watch (CEST):
- Friday 6 June – 4:40 pm: Pesage
- Sunday 8 June – 10:00 am & 3:30 pm: Test Day Sessions
- Wednesday 11 June – 2:00 pm: Free Practice 1, 7:30 pm: Qualifying
- Thursday 12 June – 9:05 pm: Hyperpole 1, 9:40 pm: Hyperpole 2
- Saturday 14 June – 4:00 pm: Race Start
- Sunday 15 June – 4:00 pm: Race Finish
Let the clock run. Let the challenge begin. Le Mans awaits.
