As Alpine embarks on its 23rd participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans — and its second in the Hypercar category with the A424 — the French marque has laid a solid foundation for a promising campaign in the 93rd edition of this legendary endurance race. With two competitive stints during Test Day and the unmistakable energy of Les Bleus’ fanbase behind them, Alpine has made its intentions clear: it is here not just to participate, but to contend.
Le Mans Week Begins with Tradition and Spectacle
Festivities began in earnest with the Pesage on Friday at the Place de la République. As the two Alpine A424s underwent scrutineering, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation, amplified by the thousands of fans lining the streets. The city-centre parade the following day brought the cars and drivers even closer to the public, with both crews — car #35 and car #36 — drawing enthusiastic support ahead of what promises to be a demanding race week.
A Crucial Test Day on Circuit des 24 Heures
Sunday’s Test Day saw the Alpine Endurance Team log 137 laps — more than 1,850 kilometres — as they returned to a partly resurfaced 13.626 km circuit. The two three-hour sessions were essential not just for reacquainting the drivers with the legendary La Sarthe layout, but also for preparing the A424s for the demands of the world’s most grueling endurance test.
Morning runs were led by Ferdinand Habsburg and Jules Gounon, with all six drivers rotating through the day to collect key data on car setup, tyre performance, fuel consumption, pit stop strategy, and track evolution. The Alpine #36 finished the afternoon fourth overall (3m27.313s), while the #35 car closed the session in tenth (3m27.754s), both showing signs of competitive pace amidst a crowded and unpredictable Hypercar field.
Positive Momentum and Measured Optimism
The tone within the Alpine camp is cautiously optimistic. Team Principal Philippe Sinault noted that while the day progressed smoothly, it was underpinned by a focused and ambitious work programme.
“The results are quite satisfactory. The drivers were happy with the car’s balance, which gradually improved thanks to the team’s work,” said Sinault. “Our drivers made no mistakes, which was a clear imperative… we approach the rest of the event with confidence and humility.”
That sentiment was echoed by Sporting Director Nicolas Lapierre, who praised the team’s afternoon recovery after a challenging start:
“We got to try different tyre compounds in various conditions and complete most of our programme. The overall outcome is satisfactory despite the track time lost due to incidents.”
Driver Impressions: Progress and Precision
The #35 crew — comprising Ferdinand Habsburg, Charles Milesi, and Paul-Loup Chatin — all underscored the gains made since last year’s campaign. Habsburg acknowledged the improved baseline while highlighting the task ahead:
“Our first steps were done beautifully, but the hard work begins now… We still have a lot of work to do if we want to compete with the fastest.”
Milesi agreed:
“It’s too early to draw conclusions, but the overall impression is quite positive. The feeling is much better than last year.”
For Chatin, consistency will be key:
“There is still much to do, but we are moving in the right direction.”
In car #36, Frédéric Makowiecki emphasised the value of the data collected, while Jules Gounon relished his first laps in a prototype at Le Mans — a moment made all the more special given his concurrent DTM schedule.
“It was most definitely worth it,” said Gounon. “I can’t wait to return to La Sarthe in the coming days to continue the adventure.”
Mick Schumacher, whose presence with Alpine adds a dose of Formula 1 pedigree, stressed the importance of maximising every minute on track:
“Making the most of the next session will be crucial, as there will only be one before qualifying.”
The Road Ahead
With crucial data in hand, Alpine now turns its attention to the upcoming practice and qualifying sessions. The week ahead includes four free practice slots and two tightly packed Hyperpole segments — a critical battleground in determining grid position in this ultra-competitive field.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans remains one of motorsport’s greatest challenges. But as Alpine celebrates its 70th anniversary — marked by the ‘A70’ emblem on the A424s — the team stands not just as a steward of its storied past, but as a credible force in the future of endurance racing.
From Dieppe to La Sarthe, the spirit of Alpine endures — and at Le Mans, it’s once again poised to fight.
Alpine’s Le Mans Week at a Glance (All times CEST):
- Tuesday 10 June
- Autograph session & Pit Walk: 2:00–5:00 pm
- Pit Stop Challenge: 3:15–4:30 pm
- Wednesday 11 June
- Free Practice 1: 2:00–5:00 pm
- Hypercar Qualifying: 7:30–8:00 pm
- Free Practice 2 (Night): 10:00 pm–12:00 am
- Thursday 12 June
- Free Practice 3: 2:45–5:45 pm
- Hyperpole: 9:05–9:55 pm
- Free Practice 4: 11:00 pm–12:00 am
- Friday 13 June
- Driver Parade: 4:00–7:00 pm
- Saturday 14 June
- Warm-up: 12:00–12:15 pm
- Race Start: 4:00 pm
- Sunday 15 June
- Race Finish: 4:00 pm
About Alpine
Founded in 1955, Alpine has long been synonymous with French motorsport heritage. From the launch of the A110 to its modern-day presence in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship, Alpine continues to merge tradition with innovation. In 2024, the brand celebrates its 70th anniversary and enters a bold new era with its all-electric ‘Dream Garage’, including the A290 hot hatch and the A390 fastback.
