Makowiecki joins Alpine effort as team reveals full 2025 line-up

Alpine prevailed in a close fight for fourth position in the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship this year, courtesy of a strong end to the campaign in Texas, Japan and Bahrain, tallying a trio of consecutive top four finishes highlighted by a maiden podium for the new A424 prototype at Fuji.

Today’s announcement confirms that Charles Milesi, Paul-Loup Chatin, Ferdinand Habsburg and Mick Schumacher will all continue with Les Bleus at the international pinnacle of the discipline,  as Gounon steps up from a partial role and experienced GT racer Makowiecki moves across from a ten-year stint as a Porsche factory driver.

In his sophomore season in the Hypercar class, the 44-year-old reached the rostrum four times in 2024, on his way to fifth in the overall standings alongside Porsche Penske Motorsport team-mates Matt Campbell and Michael Christensen.

“I am extremely proud as a French driver,” acknowledged Makowiecki, a household name in endurance racing circles. “It’s something special to represent a French manufacturer in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the possibility of aiming for overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially as Alpine has a vibrant motorsport history.

“I truly like the team’s approach and development. Alpine improved and excelled in its first season [with the A424] against very tough opposition. I’m joining humbly, but I want to contribute significantly. Doing everything better than everyone else will be crucial if we are to get over the final hurdles.”

Countryman Gounon served as Alpine’s reserve driver last year, standing in on occasion for Habsburg, Chatin and Nicolas Lapierre and achieving a best result of fourth earlier this month in Bahrain. Having already won blue riband endurance races at Spa-Francorchamps, Daytona and Bathurst, the 29-year-old Aubenas native – like Makowiecki, a highly successful protagonist in GT competition – is looking to build upon his early Hypercar promise.

“I’m going into next season in a very positive frame of mind,” Gounon enthused. “I’m happy to become a full-time driver in the FIA World Endurance Championship thanks to Alpine’s confidence. This is 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.”

Alpine Endurance Team has already begun meticulous preparations for the 2025 FIA WEC campaign, which will get underway in Qatar on 28 February. Team Principal Philippe Sinault is confident the addition of Makowiecki and Gounon to the permanent roster will support the squad’s drive to reach the next level.

“We felt it was crucial to build upon the strong foundations we have already laid,” he explained. “Charles, Ferdinand, Mick and Paul-Loup have made huge contributions to setting up this project and have shown real dedication. Jules has continued his integration through his role as reserve driver and has met our expectations, so we were keen to promote him to the race team.

“Lastly, the arrival of Frédéric is a real plus. His presence will give us the benefit of his vast experience, as well as his racing and technical credentials. His mindset and character mirror our project. His personality makes you want to work with him, and he will help us to make headway towards our common goal.”

“By bringing back five drivers, we are opting for stability to continue working on our learning campaign,” echoed Sporting Director, Nicolas Lapierre. “We’re delighted to have Charles, Ferdinand, Jules, Mick and Paul-Loup back on-board. We also welcome Frédéric, an endurance racing specialist with an excellent technical background. His profile and contributions are exactly what we need at this phase of the project. We’re delighted to have such an asset join our ranks.”