Credit: © Alpine Press
Alpine has confirmed their full Hypercar driver crew for the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship, featuring the additions of Ferdinand Habsburg, Paul-Loup Chatin and Mick Schumacher who will make his endurance debut.
Ahead of their Hypercar debut next year, the French make has confirmed all six drivers who will pilot their two Alpine A424 LMDhs, split into three drivers in each car.
Three of their outgoing drivers will be retained into the new chapter: Nicolas Lapierre, Charles Milesi and Matthieu Vaxiviere.
Vaxiviere made his debut in the top class with Alpine in 2021, when the team fielded a ‘grandfathered’ LMP1, and will continue into his fourth year with the Signatech outfit.
Meanwhile, Schumacher will make his endurance debut after driving his first laps at Jerez, and will follow in the footsteps of his father and decorated multi-F1 hero Michael Schumacher in pursuing a chapter in sportscar racing and at Le Mans, albeit after his F1 stint with Haas from 2022-23.
Reining IMSA LMP2 champion and two-time European Le Mans Series champion Paul-Loup Chatin was the second new driver to take the wheel of the Alpine, most recently at the Motorland Aragon endurance test along with Habsburg.
The Austrian has won the WEC LMP2 title in 2021, as well as that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans with Milesi and BMW works driver Robin Frijns.
Philippe Sinault, Team Manager, said: “The first word that comes to mind is ‘pride’.
“I think we made the right choices and I have confidence in this team, which is ideal for us for Alpine in Hypercar.
“There is an interesting balance between long-time, federative, well-known drivers to the team and new faces who have surprised us in recent years.
“As a French team, we are also particularly excited to have four French drivers in the team.
“There are less than 100 days until the first race of the 2024 season.
“Testing is almost over, and the team is now complete: we can’t wait to see our beautiful A424s driven by these drivers.”
Mick Schumacher – © Alpine Press
Schumacher commented ahead of his debut with Alpine: “A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC Hypercar category.
“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.”
Lapierre, who has won three Le Mans 24 Hours in his extended duration in the WEC and with Alpine, said: “It’s an ambitious project, and I was quite proud when offered the chance to develop the car.
“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 A424 at Motorland Aragon – Credit: © Alpine
Habsburg added: “I’m thrilled to take on this challenge with Alpine.
“No question, it’s a step up from anything I’ve experienced in my motor racing career.
“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.”
Frenchman Chatin began his sportscar career with Alpine with a title-winning ELMS campaign in 2014, claiming the second of his three titles.
“I am so pleased to rejoin Alpine in Hypercar for the 2024 season.
“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 2024 WEC season will commence at Qatar on 2 March with the opening 1812 km race, beginning a new Hypercar chapter for Alpine who have competed primarily in the former LMP2 class since 2013.
Keyword: Alpine introduces Habsburg, Chatin and Schumacher amongst WEC line-up