Alpine is ready to return to the track for the 2026 season, a comeback that also marks its final year in the premier category of the World Endurance Championship. The French manufacturer will bid farewell to the WEC in Bahrain, closing this chapter after 13 years of history.
Despite the upcoming departure, the French team remains faithful to the project, entering its final year on the grid with the same drive and determination to win.
Following the regulations introduced by the ACO and WEC for 2026, the A424 will feature minor updates while remaining the same car that has accompanied them through recent years of competition.
“An intense year awaits us in the FIA WEC championship. We are fully committed and determined to give our absolute best in every single race.” — said Axel Plasse, VP Alpine Tech
The history
After a brief hiatus, Alpine returned to the WEC in 2024 with the LMDh A424, which was first unveiled at Le Mans on June 9 2023. However, Alpine was no stranger to the WEC or even the Hypercar category, having competed in 2021 and 2022 using an LMP1 car (the predecessor to the current Hypercar class).
The #36 LMP1, powered by a Gibson engine, was driven by Negrão, Lapierre, and Vaxivière. It featured a striking blue and white livery, with the French tricolor running across the hood and the fin. At the end of the 2022 season, the team stepped back to focus on the LMDh project. A forward-looking initiative that also served as a foundation for the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
In fact, during that period, Alpine was already working on the Alpenglow concept car, which was later presented at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on May 10, 2024.
The Alpine A424 prototype secured four podium finishes between 2024 and 2025, ending both championships in 4th place. With this car, Alpine also counts a major victory in its palmarès: the 2025 6 Hours of Fuji, won by Ferdinand Habsburg, Paul-Loup Chatin, and Charles Milesi behind the wheel of the #35.
A Design for Victory
2026 marks the final year for the French manufacturer in the WEC. Alpine has indeed announced that it will bid farewell to the World Endurance Championship at the end of this season. However, the brand’s departure is not a reason for the team to take a step back in its final campaign. In fact, in an interview with Motorsport.com, Philippe Sinault (Alpine Team Principal) confessed that the team is determined to give its absolute best even in its swan song season.
The 2026 regulations required all teams to implement aerodynamic changes. Alpine took this opportunity to use an “Evo Joker,” which subsequently required a new homologation of the car.
“[…] With the changes to the regulations and following the experience gained with the car over the first two years, we realized that we were lacking downforce. Therefore, we worked to increase it, which means the car can tackle corners faster and, most importantly, allows us to make the most of the tires.”
Said Philippe Sinault to Motorsport.com
Bodywork and Engine
Visually, the car appears to have remained the same despite the modifications. As Sinault explained to Motorsport.com, the real changes lie in the underbody, the airflow management, and minor technical details.
The French manufacturer’s prototype measures 5.088m in length, 1.992m in width, and stands just over 1.5m tall, with a standard weight of 1,030kg (subject to BoP – Balance of Performance). The monocoque chassis is constructed from carbon fiber honeycomb. The hybrid powertrain is based on a 3.4-liter 90° single-turbo V6 internal combustion engine—a philosophy that translates directly from the road to the track.
A Livery Highlighting Its Heritage
The design was developed by the Alpine Design Centre and draws inspiration from the French brand’s road-going sports cars, emphasizing national pride with an all-French livery. The 2026 colors are an evolution of the 2025 scheme, featuring the iconic blue, white, and red lines distinctive of the French flag.
Drivers
For 2026, the Alpine Endurance Team confirms Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi who, alongside former teammate Chatin, gave the A424 its maiden victory in 2025. The duo will be behind the wheel of the #35 car, joined by the team’s newcomer, António Félix da Costa.
In the sister car, the #36, we will see the debut of rookie Victor Martins, flanked by Jules Gounon and Frédéric Makowiecki in an all-French lineup.
