Alpine A424 will debut at Le Mans this Sunday

WECHyperCar

Jun 8

Test at Paul Ricard after Spa

Since mid-May , the team has tested at Circuit Paul Ricard, where Ferdinand Habsburg was able to get back behind the wheel after his recovery. Les Bleus then undertook a complete service of their two Hypercars, and to prepare for any eventuality in a race presenting incomparable challenges for both drivers and machines, the team also conducted detailed preparation work on spare parts before a final shakedown last Friday.

Test Day

📷 © Luc Warnotte at Spa-Francorchamps 2024.

On Sunday for the first time in the two three-hour Test Day sessions. Although Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere, Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg, and Paul-Loup Chatin are all well-versed in the circuit's subtleties, these initial tests will be crucial in helping them find their bearings on this 13.626 km long track, famed for its Mulsanne Straight.

The drivers will take turns fine-tuning their setups, perfecting their pit stops, and studying the behaviour of the different tyre compounds supplied by Michelin. The team will also have an imperative: allow Mick Schumacher to continue the process imposed on every Le Mans rookie thanks to the team's expertise and that of his teammates, three of whom have already had category wins at Le Mans.

Free practices, qualifying and Hyperpole

The action will resume in the first free practice session on Wednesday before the one-hour qualifying session, followed by two more free practice sessions on Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon before the Hyperpole, where the top eight in each category will compete in a high-speed battle to determine the top-eight grid positions in each category.

Zinedine Zidane starter

📷 © Courtesy of Alpine. Zinédine Zidane, Alpine’s ambassadeur.

The start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be given by Alpine equal opportunities programmes ambassadeur Zinédine Zidane with an impressive field of 62 cars, including 23 competing in the Hypercar category. For Alpine, the target will be simple: keep on learning in the longest, most challenging and undoubtedly most spectacular race of the year, where the first challenge will be to finish.

Hydrogen demonstration

As a common thread throughout the event, Alpine will reveal the A290, the 100% electric hot hatch from its Dream Garage. A few hours before the start, the A-arrow brand will also participate in a hydrogen demonstration with Alpenglow Hy4, in which Zinédine Zidane will be a passenger. The two models embody the future of the brand's design, as well as being a rolling laboratory and an avenue of exploration for sustainable technologies at the forefront of sporting innovation. There will also be other surprises in store, so stay tuned!