WEC - Mick Schumacher and Charles Milesi complete Alpine crews

He'll be there! The information revealed by Endurance-Info that Mick Schumacher had his sights set on endurance racing proved to be true, as the German even tested the A424 at the Jerez circuit in October. What's more, the former Haas F1 driver has been convinced, as he will be racing in one of the cars bearing the arrowed A for the 2024 season.

This was confirmed this morning by Alpine, which has made official the identities of the six drivers who will wear its Hypercar colours. Among them are four Frenchmen: Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere, Paul-Loup Chatin and Charles Milesi, who will finally be taking part.

They are joined by Mick Schumacher and Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg.

Bruno Famin, VP Alpine Motorsports: "At this decisive phase for the A424 programme, we are proud to reveal the six drivers who will race for us in the Hypercar category in 2024. With Philippe Sinault, we wanted drivers who are not only fast and reliable, but also showing a real team spirit and good racing acumen to best represent the Alpine colors in the premier category of the World Endurance Championship. We are absolutely delighted to have these six drivers and we hope they will all bring their own experience and qualities to the project, for example Charles with his youth, Nicolas with his experience in Endurance to mentor the younger drivers, and also Mick, with his experience gained at the highest level. It might be his first foray into Endurance, but his enthusiasm for the project and his will to join us are palpable. I’m sure he will be a real asset.”

Mick Schumacher : "A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC Hypercar category. The car is impressive, and I can't wait to get started. I've grown up with single-seaters, so driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is a great opportunity to hone my driving skills. I sorely missed racing this year; it's what I've loved to do since I was a kid, and it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers take to the track. Endurance racing is a new challenge for me, and I'm sure we will share great moments together next year with Alpine." 

Nicolas Lapierre : "It's an ambitious project, and I was quite proud when offered the chance to develop the car. I'm particularly fond of the team. We have enjoyed success, and to return to the Hypercar programme is a superb opportunity. We're facing a new era in endurance racing, with a field more competitive than ever. And to continue to contribute to Alpine's history and go head-to-head with some of the biggest names in motor racing is exciting. We will represent Les Bleus and can't wait to see the fans at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the other races in the championship." 

Matthieu Vaxiviere : "Racing a Hypercar with Alpine in 2024 is an accomplishment for me. All the energy and effort I've put in throughout my career has been directed towards this goal of competing in endurance racing's premier category. It's a continuation of the years I've spent with the team, and participating in the car's development has also allowed me to share this new ambition with them. To compete against the biggest manufacturers is amazing and I'm proud to be part of this team." 

Charles Milesi : "I'm delighted to continue this adventure in the Alpine family for another year in 2024, this time in a Hypercar. It's a challenge for everyone with a new car and a team that's getting stronger, both in terms of the drivers and on the technical side. I was lucky enough to be involved in the car's development, and it has been hugely rewarding to see the project evolve up close. There's still work to do, but we've made good progress and are on the right track. Everyone looks forward to the first race in Qatar and, more importantly, to seeing the Alpine hypercar on the grid for the 24 Hours of Le Mans." 

Ferdinand Habsburg : "I'm thrilled to take on this challenge with Alpine. No question, it's a step up from anything I've experienced in my motor racing career. From the day I signed with Alpine, I realised that my childhood dream had come true. I immediately felt part of the team at Motorland, although the pressure was palpable for me. Beginning with an endurance format during testing can be difficult to get used to with a new environment, but I felt confident straight away. I can't wait to see what the 2024 season has in store for us, and I'll give it my all so as not to betray their confidence."

Paul-Loup Chatin: "I am so pleased to rejoin Alpine in Hypercar for the 2024 season. I started my endurance career with Signatech Alpine in 2014, and it's a team I've always followed. As a Frenchman, representing a French manufacturer at the highest level of world motorsport is a privilege, especially at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the biggest motor race in the world. It's why I get up every morning. I sincerely thank the Alpine team for giving me this opportunity, and I can't wait for the season to begin."

Philippe Sinault, Team Manager: "The first word that comes to mind is 'pride'. I think we made the right choices and I have confidence in this team, which is ideal for us for Alpine in Hypercar. There is an interesting balance between long-time, federative, well-known drivers to the team and new faces who have surprised us in recent years. As a French team, we are also particularly excited to have four French drivers in the team. There are less than 100 days until the first race of the 2024 season. Testing is almost over, and the team is now complete: we can't wait to see our beautiful A424s driven by these drivers."