24h Le Mans
French carmaker Alpine is currently preparing to enter the Hypercar class with the A424 and is set on adding to a track record that boasts the overall win at the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Alpine is gearing up to return to the Hypercar class next year. In 2021, the French marque competed in the top endurance racing class at Le Mans and in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the A480-Gibson. This key strategic decision demonstrates Alpine's determination to face off against the world's most prestigious car manufacturers. After a transition season in LMP2 while waiting to field the A424 unveiled at the 24 Hours Centenary, the constructor is about to embark on a new chapter in its remarkable history.
The Alpine A424 is based on an ORECA chassis and is equipped with a 3.4L single-turbo V6 engine coupled with a Bosch hybrid system. The front of the car is highly dramatic and the sides draw inspiration from the Alpenglow, a concept car presented in October 2022 during the Paris Motor Show. The rear displays two striking arrowed As. The A424 is the first prototype developed by Alpine (in Viry-Châtillon since 1978) and will benefit from the expertise of the French manufacturer's engineers in terms of power unit development, energy management and the impact of the hybrid system on the dynamics of the car. Bruno Famin, Alpine Motorsport Director: "Now more than ever, Alpine is on its way to the top!"
In 2013, Signatech convinced the marque to return to endurance racing, and so the Alpine A424 Hypercar will be run by Sinault's team. Their collaboration has produced European and world titles in several domains.
The Alpine and SIgnatech engineers conducted an extensive testing programme this summer. Multiple test sessions were completed at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, at MotorLand Aragòn and at Circuito de Jerez. Philippe Sinault, Team Principal: "The tests went well. The positives from the tests at Circuit Paul Ricard were confirmed at Motorland and the car continued to display a healthy behaviour." Famin: "Things are moving in the right direction, but we're only at the beginning of the process, and there's still a tremendous amount to do in all areas." An endurance test and homologation of the car are the next steps, and then the French Hypercar will make its debut in competition in March at the Qatar 1812, first round of the 2024 FIA WEC season.
The French constructor has not yet finalised its driver line-ups for the A424. But we do know Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxivière and Charles Milesi are involved in the car's development. Alpine may look to Jack Doohan, a member of the Alpine Academy and son of Mick Doohan (five-time moto Grand Prix world champion). Discussions have also taken place with Mick Schumacher, current Mercedes reserve driver in Formula 1 and son of Michael Schumacher (seven-time F1 world champion).
By taking on the Hypercar class, Alpine hopes to expand its endurance racing track record. 2024 will most likely be a learning season for the marque, with an eye on victory in 2025 and thereafter.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans will begin a new chapter in its storied history on 12-16 June 2024.
