Alpine Endurance Team left the Brazilian round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) without points despite showing the pace to challenge at the front throughout the Interlagos weekend.
Victor Martins led the final Free Practice session before qualifying the #36 Alpine A424 in third. Charles Milesi added fifth in the sister #35 car, placing both entries within 0.127 seconds of pole and sending both Alpines into Hyperpole in Brazil for the first time.
However, tyre degradation, a penalty and punctures disrupted both race programmes. Milesi, António Félix da Costa and Ferdinand Habsburg eventually finished 10th, while Martins, Jules Gounon and Frédéric Makowiecki followed in 11th.
Habsburg highlights Alpine’s improved race pace
Habsburg viewed Alpine’s pace across the stints as a significant improvement compared with its previous appearance at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace.
Although the Austrian lost six positions on the opening lap, the team adapted its strategy and moved the #35 A424 into the fight at the front. A late puncture eventually denied the crew an opportunity to convert that progress into a podium result.
Habsburg, as reported by FIAWEC.com, nevertheless focused on the performance that Alpine demonstrated in clean air.
“The positive takeaway was that we had the pace to compete at the front throughout the race. Our performance over the stints was actually a pleasant surprise compared to last year, and it was great to see the progress we’ve made.
“I was disappointed with my start, as I made a few too many mistakes, but once I got into clean air, I was able to extract the most from the car. It’s a shame our hopes were ended by the puncture, as we would have liked to see our strategy play out until the chequered flag.”
His assessment underlined the contrast between Alpine’s underlying performance and the final classification. The #35 crew recovered from a difficult start and placed itself in contention through pace and strategy. However, the puncture removed the opportunity to test that approach through to the finish.
Martins leads final practice before qualifying third
Martins demonstrated the A424’s potential before the race by topping the final Free Practice session. The FIA WEC rookie led the 17-car Hypercar field around Interlagos and earned the opportunity to qualify the #36 entry for the first time. He then continued his strong weekend by taking third on the grid.
Milesi also advanced to Hyperpole and secured fifth for the #35 Alpine. Only 0.127s covered both cars and the pole-winning time, giving the French manufacturer two strong starting positions.
The result marked the first time that either Alpine had reached Hyperpole at the Brazilian circuit. Moreover, it confirmed the team’s progress at a venue where it had struggled during the previous season.
However, the race introduced challenges that Alpine could not overcome through outright pace alone.
Tyre wear disrupts the #36 Alpine’s strategy
Makowiecki started the race in the #36 A424 from the second row. However, the car encountered more tyre degradation than Alpine expected during the early stages. The team consequently called Makowiecki into the pits for an early second stop as it attempted to restore performance.
A five-second penalty for a procedural infringement then added another delay. Furthermore, a front-left puncture compromised the crew’s efforts to recover.
Martins took control of the car during the middle phase before Gounon completed the final two hours. Alpine then asked Gounon to manage his energy and fuel consumption late in the race.
That economy run allowed the #36 crew to avoid a late splash-and-dash stop. Nevertheless, the reduced pace limited its recovery and left the car 11th, one position outside the points.
Alpine uses alternative strategy to revive #35 podium hopes
Habsburg’s difficult opening lap prompted Alpine to reconsider its plan for the #35 car. Rather than follow the same strategy as the surrounding Hypercars, the team adjusted the timing of its stops and moved Habsburg into the lead. Da Costa then maintained the crew’s momentum and fought with eventual winner Raffaele Marciello.
The Portuguese driver’s duel showed that Alpine could compete directly with the leading machinery once its strategy brought the car into clean air.
Milesi later took over and kept the #35 crew in podium contention. With 45 minutes remaining, he caught Dries Vanthoor as both drivers worked through LMGT3 traffic.
The Frenchman completed the pass and placed Alpine in a strong position for the closing stages. However, a puncture forced him into the pits earlier than planned and dropped the car down the order.
Da Costa backs Alpine’s strategic response
Da Costa believed Alpine’s alternative strategy could have delivered a podium without the late puncture. The team reacted quickly after Habsburg lost positions and used the altered programme to bring the #35 car back towards the front. Although the gamble carried risks, it gave all three drivers an opportunity to fight for a major result.
Da Costa praised that flexibility despite the disappointing outcome.
“It was disappointing given our potential, as we had the pace to fight for a podium finish. After a difficult start, we decided to take a different strategic approach, and it was a gamble that could have paid off.
“We just needed a little bit of luck to see it through, but the puncture ultimately ended our chances. Nevertheless, there were plenty of positives to take from the weekend. Our ability to react as a team and make strategic decisions was encouraging, and we will take those learnings forward.”
Alpine’s decision gave the crew a route back into contention after the opening-lap setback. However, the puncture prevented the team from discovering whether its strategy could have delivered a podium at the chequered flag.
Milesi identifies consistency and braking concerns
Milesi produced one of the #35 crew’s defining moments when he passed Vanthoor through LMGT3 traffic. Nevertheless, the Frenchman also encountered braking difficulties during the race. Those problems added another complication as Alpine attempted to sustain its front-running pace across each stint.
Milesi acknowledged the car’s potential while stressing that Alpine still needed greater consistency.
“It was a difficult race,” echoed Milesi, “and luck wasn’t on our side at the end. We also experienced some issues with the brakes. At certain points, we showed the potential to fight for a strong result, but we were still lacking the consistency required to challenge regularly at the front. We’ll keep working hard and see what the rest of the season brings.”
The #35 Alpine eventually finished 10th, one place ahead of its sister car. Although that result earned the final available point, it failed to reflect the crew’s position before the late puncture.
Lapierre focuses on progress from previous season
Alpine Sporting Director Nicolas Lapierre shared the drivers’ frustration after both cars encountered setbacks. However, he also highlighted the A424’s improved competitiveness at a circuit that had previously exposed weaknesses in the package.
“We failed to fulfil our potential [in Brazil], even though the pace shown by the A424 was strong enough to aim for a much better ending,” mused Lapierre. “The punctures also didn’t help our strategy and prevented us from fighting to the very end.
“Still, we need to take away the positives – particularly the car’s performance on a track where we struggled last year – and keep moving forward so we can bounce back in Austin.”
Alpine’s two Hyperpole appearances and sustained race pace provided clear evidence of that progress. Nevertheless, the team must now improve its execution and reliability if it wants to turn similar performances into stronger results during the remaining rounds.
Sinault explains setbacks for both A424 crews
Team Principal Philippe Sinault identified different challenges for each Alpine. The #36 crew faced tyre degradation earlier than expected before the puncture ended its recovery hopes. Meanwhile, traffic complicated the beginning of the #35 programme before Alpine’s strategic gamble moved the car back into contention.
Sinault argued that the final positions did not represent the team’s true performance level.
“It wasn’t an easy day, even though we showed strong pace right from the start,” added Sinault. “The #36 car suffered from tyre degradation as soon as the second stint, so we decided to adjust our strategy by bringing it in early to recover performance. That paid off with some very competitive lap times, but unfortunately, Victor’s puncture ended our hopes of a good result.
“As for car #35, the start of the race was more difficult, particularly due to traffic. We took a strategic risk that allowed us to get back into the fight at the front, but a puncture in the final hour scuppered the crew’s ambitions.
“It was disappointing to leave Brazil with that result, as the A424’s potential was clearly there and the final positions didn’t reflect our true level. We need to analyse all the factors so we can continue to improve in every area. We’ve shown we’re in the mix, and we’ll keep working hard to come back stronger in Austin.”
The team will now analyse the tyre behaviour, punctures, braking concerns and procedural penalty before returning to competition.
Alpine targets stronger conversion at Austin
Alpine leaves Brazil with mixed conclusions. The A424 displayed enough speed to lead Free Practice, place both cars in Hyperpole and challenge for a podium during the race. Furthermore, the team responded effectively when the #35 crew’s opening lap disrupted its original plan.
However, Alpine converted that potential into only 10th and 11th. Tyre wear, a penalty, braking issues and punctures repeatedly interrupted the two crews’ progress.
The championship will now enter its annual summer break before resuming at the Circuit of The Americas from 4–6 September.
Alpine must carry its improved pace into Austin while addressing the problems that limited its result at Interlagos. After proving that the A424 can join the fight at the front, the team now needs to turn that speed into points and podiums during the final four rounds.
