Twelve months ago, Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi were part of the trio that took the A424 to its maiden FIA World Endurance Championship victory on Japanese soil. This year, they return in the #35, while Jules Gounon and Victor Martins will share the sister #36, with both cars adopting a two-driver line-up for the Japanese round.
The 6 Hours of Fuji comes just weeks after Alpine's strongest combined result of the A424 era. At the Circuit of the Americas, the #35 finished third to secure the team's first podium of the 2026 season, while the #36 fought back to fifth. The double top-five brought Alpine 25 points, taking its total to 66 and consolidating fifth place in the Manufacturers' Championship.
Fuji has long been a special place in Alpine's endurance story. From the A441's success at the Fuji 500 Kilometres in 1978 to podium finishes across several eras and the A424's breakthrough victory last year, the circuit has regularly brought memorable moments for Les Bleus. Alpine can also count on a passionate and growing community of supporters in Japan, adding another dimension to the team's return to the foot of Mount Fuji.
Fuji also presents a unique challenge. Its exceptionally long main straight places a premium on aerodynamic efficiency, while the more technical sections demand stability, traction and careful tyre management. Conditions at the foot of Mount Fuji can also change rapidly, adding another strategic dimension to the six-hour race, particularly during Japan's typhoon season.
Building on the competitiveness demonstrated in recent rounds, Alpine Endurance Team will focus on quickly finding the right operating window for both A424s.
The 6 Hours of Fuji will start on Sunday 27 September at 11:00 am local time (4:00 am CEST). The action can be followed live and on demand on FIA WEC+, the FIA World Endurance Championship's official streaming platform. https://www.fiawec.com/
Philippe Sinault, Team Principal, Alpine Endurance Team
“ Fuji is a special event for us. This is where we claimed the A424's first Hypercar victory last year, an incredibly emotional moment that demonstrated our ability to win at the highest level against extremely strong competition. We also return to Japan with real momentum after Austin, where we achieved our best overall team result with both cars in the top five.
The whole team is approaching Fuji with great enthusiasm and determination to confirm the level of performance shown in recent races. With its long straight, demanding technical sections and often unpredictable weather, particularly with the event taking place during Japan's typhoon season, Fuji is always a unique challenge. We will need to be ready for every scenario and execute a strong weekend to put ourselves in a position to fight at the front again.”
Timetable (CEST)
Friday 25 September
03:15 - 04:45: Free Practice 1
07:30 -09:00: Free Practice 2
Saturday 26 September
02:30 - 03:30 : Free Practice 3
07:40 - 07:52: Hypercar Qualifying
08:00 - 08:10 : Hypercar Hyperpole
Sunday 27 September
04:00 -10:00 : 6 Hours of Fuji
