Les Bleus return to Europe with the ambition of extending their recent run of competitive performances at the inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona. With two rounds remaining, the team approaches the Spanish event determined to build on the constant performance of the A424 and the collective work behind its recent results.
Third and fifth places in Austin were followed by second and fourth at Fuji, where the two Alpine Hypercars occupied the leading positions for 80 percent of the race. These performances provide encouragement as the team prepares to take on a brand-new challenge at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Although this will be the venue's first WEC race, Barcelona has an established endurance racing background through the European Le Mans Series and hosted the championship's Prologue in 2019. Its current layout measures 4.657 kilometres and features 14 corners, with eight right-handers.
For the A424, the combination of fast, sweeping bends, slower technical sections and a long main straight will demand a balanced set-up.
Following Fuji, the team has decided to retain two drivers per car strategy on the remaining races. Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi will share the #35 A424, while Jules Gounon and Victor Martins will again partner in the #36.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Qualifying and the race can be followed live on FIAWEC+, the championship's official streaming platform. Territory-specific television coverage is available through the “Where to watch” section of fiawec.com. Fans can also follow Alpine Endurance Team's social media channels for updates throughout the weekend.
Philippe Sinault, Team Principal Alpine Endurance Team
““The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a longstanding track in international motorsport, but it represents a new challenge for our Hypercar programme. We tested there in 2023, during the early stages of the A424's development, and have not returned since. We will therefore need to reacquaint ourselves with the circuit and quickly establish a competitive baseline.
Our ambition is to carry forward the momentum from Austin and Fuji, where we raced at the front and challenged for victory. We approach this final European stretch, in Barcelona and then Monza, aiming for further podium finishes — and potentially more if we can bring together the strengths we demonstrated at the last two rounds.
The schedule does, however, leave us with a particularly tight turnaround. Our freight arrived in Liège late last week and we collected it over the weekend. We have just forty-eight hours to prepare the cars before they leave for Barcelona. It is a challenge for the whole team, which we approach with enthusiasm and determination.”
Timetable (CEST)
Friday 16 October
11:30-13:00: Free Practice 1
16:30-18:00: Free Practice 2
Saturday 17 October
12:40-13:40: Free Practice 3
15:40-15:52: Hypercar Qualifying
16:00-16:10: Hypercar Hyperpole
Sunday 18 October
12:00-18:00: 6 Hours of Barcelona
