Alpine has confirmed the six drivers that will compete in its pair of A424 LMDh prototypes in the FIA WEC’s Hypercar class next year, which includes the addition of former Haas F1 driver Mick Schumacher.
Alongside Schumacher, Alpine has employed a quartet of French drivers for the programme, with Matthieu Vaxiviere, Nicolas Lapierre, Charles Milesi and Paul Loup Chatin all confirmed. The final name is Ferdinand Habsburg, the Austrian moving to the team after spending the 2023 WEC season competing against it in LMP2 with WRT.
“At this decisive phase for the A424 programme, we are proud to reveal the six drivers who will race for us in the Hypercar category in 2024,” said Bruno Famin, the Vice President of Alpine Motorsports.
“With Philippe Sinault, we wanted drivers who are not only fast and reliable but also show a real team spirit and good racing acumen to best represent the Alpine colours in the premier category of the World Endurance Championship. We are absolutely delighted to have these six drivers and we hope they will all bring their own experience and qualities to the project.
“Charles with his youth, Nicolas with his experience in Endurance to mentor the younger drivers, and also Mick, with his experience gained at the highest level. It might be his first foray into Endurance, but his enthusiasm for the project and his will to join us are palpable. I’m sure he will be a real asset.”
The confirmation of Schumacher joining the programme comes after he sampled the A424 during one of its early development tests back in October. The 2024 season will be the 2018 European F3 title winner’s first in the FIA WEC.
“A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC Hypercar category,” he said. “The car is impressive, and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve grown up with single-seaters, so driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is a great opportunity to hone my driving skills.
“I sorely missed racing this year; it’s what I’ve loved to do since I was a kid, and it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers take to the track. Endurance racing is a new challenge for me, and I’m sure we will share great moments together next year with Alpine.”
Habsburg is a new face at Alpine too, and is thrilled to take on the challenge of racing in the WEC’s top class.
“It’s a step up from anything I’ve experienced in my motor racing career,” he said. “From the day I signed with Alpine, I realised that my childhood dream had come true.
“I immediately felt part of the team at Motorland, although the pressure was palpable for me. Beginning with an endurance format during testing can be difficult to get used to with a new environment, but I felt confident straight away. I can’t wait to see what the 2024 season has in store for us, and I’ll give it my all so as not to betray their confidence.”
Chatin meanwhile, returns to Alpine having won the 2014 ELMS LMP2 title with the Signatech Alpine and claiming a third-place finish in class at Le Mans during that season. Since then he’s become an ELMS LMP2 stalwart with French outfit IDEC Sport, the high point being a title win in 2019. He also has an IMSA LMP2 championship under his belt with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports.
“I am so pleased to rejoin Alpine in Hypercar for the 2024 season,” he said. “I started my endurance career with Signatech Alpine in 2014, and it’s a team I’ve always followed.
“As a Frenchman, representing a French manufacturer at the highest level of world motorsport is a privilege, especially at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the biggest motor race in the world. It’s why I get up every morning. I sincerely thank the Alpine team for giving me this opportunity, and I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
The inclusion of Lapierre, Milesi and Vaxiviere feels natural, the trio join the programme as full-time drivers after playing key roles in the car’s testing to this point.
For Lapierre, his longstanding relationship with the French brand continues with this announcement. His record with Alpine includes three memorable Le Mans 24 Hours LMP2 class wins and two WEC titles.
“It’s an ambitious project, and I was quite proud when offered the chance to develop the car,” Lapierre commented. “I’m particularly fond of the team. We have enjoyed success, and to return to the Hypercar programme is a superb opportunity. We’re facing a new era in endurance racing, with a field more competitive than ever. And to continue to contribute to Alpine’s history and go head-to-head with some of the biggest names in motor racing is exciting.
“We will represent Les Bleus and can’t wait to see the fans at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the other races in the championship.”
Alpine will reveal its crews and the A424 official livery at the launch event on 7 February 2024.
Images courtesy of Alpine
