The Alpine Endurance Team is geared up and ready to make its mark in the 2025 FIA WEC season. With an optimized driver lineup and a pair of cutting-edge A424s, the team is set to level up its game in the competitive world of endurance racing.
Last year, Alpine’s debut season was marked by a series of highs and lows. The French manufacturer’s premier event, the Le Mans 24 Hours, ended in disappointment as both their turbo V6-powered, ORECA-based LMDh prototypes experienced catastrophic engine failures. However, the team rebounded impressively in the latter part of the season, delivering a string of commendable performances, including a podium finish at Fuji. The revised engine management strategy they adopted post-Le Mans played a pivotal role in their resurgence.
Over the winter, the team, in collaboration with Signatech, the outfit that runs the program, has been hard at work. The joint effort concentrated on developing and testing an engine update package that promises to elevate the performance of the car.
“We’ve been deeply immersed in learning about this car. It has undergone extensive testing, particularly the engine,” Alpine Endurance Team’s chief, Philippe Sinault, shared with RACER at the Prologue. “The knowledge we’ve gained has helped us enhance the car significantly.”
Sinault elaborated on their journey post-Le Mans, highlighting the team’s swift response to the crisis and subsequent improvements to the engine and turbo. He was reticent about revealing specific details but confirmed that the original engine has been tweaked, not replaced, with key components approved after rigorous in-house testing by the OEM’s engine department in Viry, France.
“We have essentially retained the same engine, with modifications to internal parts and the turbo,” Sinault explained. “We sprung into action immediately after the DNF at Le Mans, and now we’re all set to roll out this improved package.”
If the updated engine performs as expected, Alpine is poised to ramp up its efforts to extract maximum performance from the car at each race. This news will undoubtedly inspire its drivers, who are eager to make their presence felt.
Sinault expressed confidence in his well-rounded team, which now includes a highly driven Frederic Makowiecki from Porsche and Jules Gounon, promoted from reserve to a full-time role. They will join the returning quartet of Charles Milesi, Paul Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg, and Mick Schumacher.
Newcomers Makowiecki and Gounon will fill the shoes of Nicolas Lapierre, who has transitioned to the role of sporting director, and Matthieu Vaxiviere, who has moved to the nominated reserve role.
Sinault acknowledged the tough decisions but emphasized that the team’s journey is far from over. “It was a challenging decision, particularly on the human side. But it’s a positive move for the project, and we’re glad to keep Matthieu in the loop,” he added.
Sinault’s expectations for the new season are tempered yet optimistic. He acknowledges the challenges of the initial races but is confident that Alpine’s WEC effort is far better positioned than a year ago.
“Starting the season with a 10-hour race is tough, like kicking off the Tour de France with a mountain stage,” he commented. “Our primary focus is on reliability, and then we’ll shift our attention to results. We’re not quite ready to go head-to-head with the likes of Toyota, Ferrari, and Porsche. But we’re aiming for a DNF-free year and a top-five spot if things go as planned.”