Schumacher, Habsburg, Chatin Join Alpine Hypercar Squad

Mick Schumacher will make his FIA World Endurance Championship debut as part of Alpine’s LMDh program next season, with Ferdinand Habsburg and Paul-Loup Chatin also part of the French squad’s lineup.

The three new signings are joined by Nicolas Lapierre, Charles Milesi and Matthieu Vaxiviere to form Alpine’s six-man driver crew for its return to Hypercar class competition.

Lapierre, Milesi and Vaxivieri have all been closely involved with the development of the A424 LMDh car, which recently completed a 30-hour endurance test at Motorland Aragon.

The exact makeup of the driving crews, as well as the racing livery for the A424, will be revealed at a launch event on Feb. 7.

“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,” said Bruno Famin, Vice President of Alpine Motorsports.

“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.”

Schumacher, who took part in 43 Formula 1 Grands Prix with the Haas F1 Team in 2021 and 2022, is set for his first foray into endurance sports car racing.

As previously reported by Sportscar365, the German racer tested the A424 during a multi-day test at Jerez in October.

“A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC Hypercar category,” said Schumacher.

“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.”

Habsburg and Chatin, meanwhile, will both graduate to top-class competition after several successful years in LMP2. Both drivers have taken championships in the European Le Mans Series.

Habsburg took the title with Prema last year, while Chatin guided the Philippe Sinault-led squad to championship glory in 2013 and competed with the team during its first WEC campaign in 2015 before going on to win a second LMP2 title with IDEC Sport in 2019.

Additionally, Habsburg also enjoyed WEC title success with Team WRT in 2021 as part of a campaign that included a class win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Austrian first sampled the car at the recent test at Motorland Aragon.

“I’m thrilled to take on this challenge with Alpine,” Habsburg said.

“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.”