After more than a month's break, Alpine Endurance Team heads back to the Americas, this time for the resumption of the FIA World Endurance Championship in Austin.

 

 

Inaugurated in 2012, the Circuit of the Americas quickly established a reputation among the public and competitors for its fast and technical sequences, as well as its elevation changes, including the steep climb leading to the first corner. On this 5,513-metre track, which has become bumpy over the years, the drivers' fitness will be tested, particularly with the high temperatures and the anticlockwise direction, which is punishing for the neck muscles.

 

 

Reinstated to the calendar last year, the Texas track has already favoured the A-arrow brand, with LMP2 class wins in 2016 and 2017. In the Hypercars' debut appearance in Austin 12 months ago, Alpine's superb team effort resulted in its first top-five finish and both crews in the points.

 

 

Despite this success, the French team is by no means underestimating the task ahead. Third at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, the team has had more contrasting weekends in the last two rounds of the 2025 season and will look to return to the podium. The team will draw on its experience of the track and that of its drivers to achieve new milestones. The drivers have been able to start or resume familiarising themselves with the circuit thanks to their work on the simulator.

 

 

Shipped to Austin in the wake of the 6 Hours of São Paulo, the Alpine A424s will be serviced this week on site before taking to the track on Friday for the first practice sessions. The aim will be to gather as much information as possible to refine the initial settings and perfect the strategy. Preparations continue on Saturday with a final practice session before qualifying. The six-hour race, known as the Lone Star Le Mans, starts on Sunday at 1 pm local time (GMT-5), or 8 pm Central European Summer Time.

 

 

For all of the live coverage from Lone Star Le Mans, go to www.fiawec.com.

 


Philippe Sinault, Team Principal Alpine Endurance Team
"Austin is a track that we particularly enjoy and which has been kind to us in the past. After two more challenging races, the goal is clear: to return to a position more in line with our expectations and score big points. The break has allowed us to recharge, but above all, to learn from the last few months and approach this round with the firm intention of showing a different side of ourselves. On paper, the track profile should suit the A424: a first sector consisting of a series of fast corners where aerodynamic downforce is essential, followed by two long straights where the emphasis is on top speed and braking efficiency. The key will be to have a well-balanced car that is easy on the brakes, which will be essential to get back into the top five. The Circuit of the Americas is one of those tracks that we are happy to return to, where we expect to perform well, and we will be keen to demonstrate this on track to build on the momentum we started at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps."



Timetable (CEST)


Friday 5 September
18:30-20:00: Free Practice 1
23:00-00:30: Free Practice 2


Saturday 6 September
18:00-19:00: Free Practice 3
22:40-22:52: Hypercar Qualifying
23:00-23:10: Hypercar Hyperpole

Sunday 7 September
20:00-2:00: Lone Star Le Mans