Alpine confirms WEC driver line-up

Alpine Endurance Team has formally announced the full roster of drivers that will contest the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship aboard its pair of Hypercar class A424s.

The No. 35 A424 will feature Paul-Loup Chatin, Charles Milesi and Ferdinand Habsburg, who all return after competing with the team in 2024. The sister No. 36 car will be shared by returnee Mick Schumacher, Jules Gounon — who has been promoted after a successful reserve role — and Frédéric Makowiecki, who moves to Alpine after spending the past two seasons with Porsche Penske Motorsport.

Team boss Philippe Sinault has high expectations for both Gounon and Makoweicki in their first season as full-time Alpine factory Hypercar drivers.

“Jules has continued his integration through his role as a reverse driver and has met our expectations,” he said. “Last year, Jules was almost a regular starter, as he contested half the season.

“The potential was there, and we knew that his GT experience would bring a lot to our Hypercar project from a technical point of view. That was the case, so we were keen to promote him to the race team to build on what we set out to do a year ago.

“And the arrival of Frédéric Makowiecki is a real plus. His presence will give us the benefit of his vast experience, as well as his racing and technical credentials. He is known for his pertinence, analysis insight, situational intelligence, and technical understanding of the car.

“His mindset and character mirror our project. His personality makes you want to work with him. He likes to share and exchange ideas while remaining extremely demanding. His contribution will help us improve, and we are sure he will fit in well with our team and help us achieve our common goal.”

The pair of new full-timers replace Nicolas Lapierre — who has stepped back from driving to take on the role of sporting director — and Matthieu Vaxiviere, who has been assigned the role of reserve driver for 2025.