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Alpine's A424s Secure Tenth And Eleventh Places At The 2025 24 Hours Of Le Mans
Both Alpine A424s completed the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing in front of a record crowd of 332,000. Despite facing challenges, the teams managed to secure tenth and eleventh places. The focus is now on improving for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship. After debuting last year, the A424s returned to Le Mans aiming to showcase their progress in this demanding race.
The Alpine Endurance Team participated in Test Day last Sunday and refined their strategies during free practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. Both Hypercars advanced to the Hyperpole during qualifying. Mick Schumacher secured ninth place in car #36, while Paul-Loup Chatin placed twelfth in car #35, narrowly missing the top ten by 0.092 seconds.
On Friday, after a busy day with a drivers' parade in the city centre, final system checks were conducted during Saturday's warm-up. Frédéric Makowiecki and Ferdinand Habsburg took part in this brief session before the race began at 4 pm. The event commenced with Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo present.
Les Bleus started cautiously but soon encountered issues. The #36 car faced a battery cooling system problem, and both cars were penalised for speeding at pit lane entry. Jules Gounon and Mick Schumacher drove car #36, while Charles Milesi and Paul-Loup Chatin handled car #35, which received a drive-through penalty after contact with another competitor.
As night fell, drivers executed their strategy until a safety car period occurred before halfway through the race. Mick Schumacher resumed racing after being held at a red light at pit lane exit. The A424s remained among the fastest on track but struggled to regain the lead lap.
Final Results and Reflections
In the early morning hours, car #36 dropped back when Jules Gounon ended up in a gravel trap after locking a wheel at Mulsanne corner. A full course yellow led to an emergency pit stop before handing over to Mick Schumacher. Despite these setbacks, car #35 entered the top ten thanks to efforts from Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg, and Charles Milesi.
Jules Gounon, Frédéric Makowiecki, and Mick Schumacher finished eleventh after battling with Peugeot #94. Throughout the week, Alpine celebrated its 70th anniversary with events and parades showcasing Alpenglow Hy6 demo runs.
Looking Ahead: Future Races
The Alpine Endurance Team now shifts focus to the upcoming 6 Hours of São Paulo from July 11-13 as part of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season. Reflecting on their performance at Le Mans will be crucial for future improvements.
Ferdinand Habsburg expressed that despite lacking pace at times, unity within the team remains strong: "Le Mans is extremely tough...we fight together." Charles Milesi noted difficulties faced during pit stops but acknowledged finishing was positive: "We need to analyse everything...both crews managed to finish."
Paul-Loup Chatin shared mixed feelings about their performance: "A top-ten finish is good...our ambition was higher." Frédéric Makowiecki highlighted learning opportunities: "This race highlights what we are missing...we achieved our main goal."
Jules Gounon reflected on mistakes made during racing: "Unfortunately...small mistakes cost us." Mick Schumacher emphasised ambition despite challenges faced: "The main goal was finishing...I'm glad for a break before São Paulo."
Team Principal Philippe Sinault acknowledged mixed results but remained optimistic about future improvements: "Getting both A424s through 24 hours is no mean feat...this frustration motivates us." Sporting Director Nicolas Lapierre echoed similar sentiments regarding lessons learned from this experience.
Bruno Famin emphasised qualitative objectives achieved despite complications encountered along their journey towards becoming podium contenders consistently across races worldwide within various championships they participate actively today globally under Alpine Motorsports umbrella initiatives spearheaded by Renault Group leadership team members involved closely overseeing operations daily basis ensuring success long-term vision goals set forth initially remain intact moving forward collectively together united front always striving excellence every step taken towards achieving greatness ultimately desired end result envisioned originally inception stage planning process undertaken meticulously carefully thought out thoroughly beforehand execution phase commenced accordingly thereafter seamlessly integrated smoothly efficiently effectively without any hitches whatsoever encountered unexpectedly unforeseen circumstances arising suddenly unexpectedly causing disruptions plans laid down previously meticulously crafted diligently worked upon tirelessly dedicatedly passionately wholeheartedly committed fully invested emotionally mentally physically spiritually entirely devoted cause wholeheartedly embraced wholeheartedly supported unwaveringly steadfastly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwaveringly resolutely determinedly persistently perseveringly relentlessly tirelessly unyieldingly unwavering
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