- Following its first podium finish of the season, Alpine Endurance Team heads to Belgium for the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
- Round three of the FIA World Endurance Championship will allow the team to refine its preparations for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- During the event, Alpine will showcase Alpenglow Hy6, its hydrogen-powered prototype fitted with a new 3.5-litre V6 engine developed by the A-arrow brand, in a static display and for the first time on track.
A fixture on the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar since its inception in 2012, the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is among the most eagerly anticipated races for competitors and spectators alike.
Often cited among the most beautiful circuits in the world, the Belgian track is also among the most demanding, with its elevation changes and technical corners emphasizing precise set-up and driving skills. The challenge is even greater when unpredictable and changing weather conditions come into play. Still, Alpine Endurance Team can draw on its experience in the Belgian Ardennes to try to avoid the hazards.
Since its first participation at this motorsport monument, Alpine has achieved several major milestones at Spa-Francorchamps. In front of a record crowd of 88,180, the A424 secured its first Hyperpole position in the hands of Charles Milesi last year.
After a challenging start to the season in Qatar, the French team bounced back at Imola, thanks in particular to an inspired strategy. Buoyed by the podium finish of car #36, Alpine Endurance Team heads to Belgium with humility and a desire to build on its progress in what is often considered the final run-through before the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The A-arrow brand will look for new areas of improvement in the highly competitive Hypercar category. With previous experience on this track, both crews will bring their expertise to the team. In the #35 car, Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg and Paul-Loup Chatin are keen to get on the points board. Meanwhile, the #36 trio of Frédéric Makowiecki, Jules Gounon and Mick Schumacher will look to continue the momentum built up at Imola. All the drivers and team members will strive for flawless performance after seeing how crucial every operational and strategic detail is.
The action begins on Thursday with two 90-minute free practice sessions. On Friday, a final one-hour session will precede qualifying and the Hyperpole. Edition 14 of the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps starts at 2 pm on Saturday.
Alpine will also present the Alpenglow Hy6 in Belgium. Unveiled at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, the running prototype now features an all-new V6 combustion engine specifically designed by Alpine. Powered by hydrogen and developing 740 horsepower, it combines innovation and carbon-free sportiness, values dear to Alpine, with a hydrogen category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans planned for 2028.
Follow the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps live at www.fiawec.com.
Philippe Sinault, Team Principal Alpine Endurance Team
“Spa-Francorchamps meeting is always a highlight of the season. It’s an iconic track, steeped in history, and an unmissable event on the calendar. After our podium finish at Imola, the whole team is reinvigorated by this result, but we’re keeping our eyes on the prize: we know there’s still a lot of work to do to achieve our goals. Spa is a valuable opportunity to continue our upward momentum and perfect our execution. This fast and demanding track will also allow us to assess our progress in conditions similar to those we will encounter next month at Le Mans. It is also a highly demanding track on tyres, which makes it an excellent test of our tyre management. Every lap counts in refining our package and improving our level of preparation, both technically and operationally. Therefore, we are approaching this race with humility and genuine motivation. The team has worked hard, and this event should enable us to complete our preparation in all areas before the big challenge at Le Mans.”
Timetable (CEST)
Thursday 8 May
11:30-13:00: Free Practice 1
16:30-18:00: Free Practice 2
Friday 9 May
11:00-12:00: Free Practice 3
15:25-15:40: Hypercar Qualifying
15:48-16:00: Hypercar Hyperpole
Saturday 10 May
14:00-20:00: TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
