Alpine Endurance Team has tweaked its driver line-up for the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, with two new drivers — ex-Porsche factory driver Fred Makowiecki and Jules Gounon — joining the full-time roster for the A424’s second year in Hypercar competition.
Makowiecki joins Alpine after departing the Penske Hypercar team at the end of the 2024 season.
“I am extremely proud as a French driver,” he said. “It’s something special to represent a French manufacturer in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the possibility of aiming for an overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially as Alpine has a vibrant motorsport history.
“I truly liked the team’s approach and development. Alpine improved and excelled in its first season against very tough competition. I’m joining humbly, but I want to contribute to the team significantly. Doing everything better than everyone else will be crucial if we are to get over the final hurdles, and I’m already looking forward to Qatar!”
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Gounon, meanwhile, has been promoted from his role of reserve driver after impressing the team in 2024. The 29-year-old Frenchman gained plenty of seat time during the season just gone, standing in for Ferdinand Habsburg, Paul Loup Chatin and Nicolas Lapierre for a total of four WEC races. Now, after a partial campaign, he will complete a full WEC season for the first time.
“I’m going into this season in a very positive frame of mind,” he said. “I was able to contest four races, but I’m genuinely happy to become a full-time driver thanks to Alpine’s confidence.
“It’s a close-knit team. There is close collaboration among everyone and excellent understanding between all the drivers, which allows the whole team to work well and move forward together.”
Makowiecki and Gounon replace Nicolas Lapierre — who has stepped away from racing to take up the role of sporting director within the team — and Matthieu Vaxiviere, who drove the No. 36 in ’24. Returning are Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg, Mick Schumacher and Paul Loup Chatin.
“We have selected talented drivers who are not only fast but also have an exemplary analytical capacity and mindset,” said Bruno Famin, VP of Alpine Motorsports. “Each brings a unique potential, with a single ambition: to improve the team and the A424 as much as possible.
“We have built a strong, close-knit group to build on the foundations of our first campaign, and the commitment of our drivers, coupled with their talent, will allow us to rise to the challenges that await us in the 2025 season.”