News Summary
- António Félix da Costa and Frédéric Makowiecki have been removed from Alpine’s Fuji line-up after initially appearing on the official entry list.
- Charles Milesi and Ferdinand Habsburg will share the #35 A424, with Jules Gounon and Victor Martins driving the #36.
- Alpine has not explained the decision, while reports suggest both drivers are unlikely to return during the final rounds of 2026.
Alpine has made an unexpected change to its FIA World Endurance Championship programme by benching António Félix da Costa and Frédéric Makowiecki for the 6 Hours of Fuji.
The French manufacturer will operate both A424 Hypercars with two-driver crews in Japan. Charles Milesi and Ferdinand Habsburg will share the #35, while Jules Gounon and Victor Martins will compete in the #36.
Da Costa and Makowiecki were included on the original Fuji entry list published earlier in September. Alpine subsequently removed both drivers without offering a detailed explanation, presenting the revised pairings in its official event preview.
The change may extend beyond one race. Motorsport.com and Sportscar365 report that Alpine is expected to retain the two-driver format for the remainder of its final Hypercar season, making another 2026 appearance for Da Costa and Makowiecki unlikely.
Alpine changes crews immediately after Austin double top 5
The timing is particularly striking because Alpine produced one of its best collective results of the season at the Lone Star Le Mans.
Da Costa shared the #35 with Habsburg and Milesi as the crew finished third at Circuit of the Americas, only 6.116s behind the winning Ferrari despite receiving a 5s penalty. Makowiecki, Martins and Gounon completed the race in fifth with the sister car.
The dramatic Austin race demonstrated that Alpine could challenge Ferrari, Cadillac and Toyota at the front of the Hypercar field. Removing one driver from each crew immediately afterwards therefore appears to be a deliberate structural decision rather than a response to poor overall performance.
Alpine has not described the move as disciplinary and has not announced any contractual changes. Its official communication focused instead on returning to the circuit where the A424 claimed its first WEC victory in 2025.
Da Costa’s absence raises questions over multi-year Alpine deal
Da Costa’s position is especially notable because he only joined Alpine for 2026 under a multi-year agreement.
The former Formula E champion arrived as an established endurance driver, having won the 2022 WEC LMP2 title and his class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He was placed alongside Habsburg and Milesi in the #35 for Alpine’s final season with the A424.
Makowiecki was retained in the #36 after joining the programme in 2025. Alpine had previously highlighted his experience, technical knowledge and contribution to the development of the Hypercar.
Neither driver was originally expected to miss Fuji. Their presence on the provisional entry list confirms that the change was made relatively late, rather than forming part of Alpine’s initial season plan.
With Alpine already committed to leaving the Hypercar category after 2026, the absence could mean that both drivers have completed their final races for the manufacturer’s current WEC programme.
Why Alpine can use two-driver crews at Fuji
WEC regulations allow manufacturers to enter two-driver Hypercar line-ups in six-hour races. Three drivers are required for longer events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but Alpine is not obliged to retain its full crews at Fuji.
Reducing each entry to two drivers gives Milesi, Habsburg, Gounon and Martins more time inside the car. Each can expect to complete approximately half of the six-hour race, depending on strategy, safety cars and stint lengths.
That continuity can help drivers maintain tyre temperature, understand changing track conditions and avoid time lost while adapting to another team-mate’s set-up preferences. It also creates a more demanding physical workload, particularly at Fuji, where traffic and unpredictable weather can complicate the race.
Alpine has relevant experience with the format. Several Hypercar manufacturers have used two-driver crews during shorter WEC rounds, especially when calendar clashes or development priorities have affected the usual line-ups.
Martins receives expanded role at crucial Fuji weekend
The decision creates a significant opportunity for Victor Martins. The former Formula 2 driver joined Alpine’s endurance programme this season and will now share the complete #36 workload with Gounon.
Martins has already demonstrated speed during his transition to prototype racing, but the two-driver arrangement will expose him to longer stints and greater responsibility for set-up development.
The same applies to Habsburg and Milesi in the #35. Both were part of Alpine’s breakthrough Fuji victory in 2025 and return with direct knowledge of the balance, tyre behaviour and strategic demands required at the Japanese circuit.
Alpine is not currently central to the drivers’ championship contest, but it could influence a battle in which Toyota and BMW arrive at Fuji level on points. Ferrari also remains within reach after winning in Austin.
That makes Alpine’s reduced crews more than an internal experiment. The A424 has recently shown enough pace to take points and podium positions from the leading championship contenders.
The WEC weekend begins with FP1 on Friday at 02:15 UK and 21:15 ET on Thursday. The 6 Hours of Fuji starts on Sunday at 03:00 UK and 22:00 ET on Saturday.
WEC, IMSA and endurance: FAQ
Could the 24 Hours of Le Mans leave the WEC?
Yes, but no separation has been confirmed. If the FIA replaces the ACO as WEC promoter and the organisations do not renew the separate agreement covering Le Mans, the race could cease to count towards the championship.
Is the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans at risk of cancellation?
No. The reported dispute concerns Le Mans’ position within the WEC, not whether the race will take place. The ACO has already announced the 2027 event for June 9–13.
Who currently promotes the World Endurance Championship?
Le Mans Endurance Management, a subsidiary of the ACO, operates the WEC under its partnership with the FIA. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the governing body is considering a new promoter after the existing agreements expired.
Why are António Félix da Costa and Frédéric Makowiecki not racing at Fuji?
Alpine has decided to use two-driver crews in both A424 Hypercars. The manufacturer has not provided a detailed explanation for removing Da Costa and Makowiecki after both appeared on the original entry list.
