06.05.2024
An FIA WEC mainstay since its launch in 2012, the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is not only among the most important endurance races, but it is also among the most popular and eagerly awaited by competitors.
The Belgian circuit, considered among the most spectacular in the world, is also one of the most demanding. Its gradients and technical corners emphasize set-up and driving skills. It's a formidable challenge, made all the more so by the often unpredictable and changeable weather conditions. However, Alpine Endurance Team can draw on its extensive history in Belgium to try to overcome its traps.
Alpine has accomplished several significant milestones at this monument to the sport since its first appearance at the 1958 Spa Grand Prix. The A-arrow brand has recently experienced many landmarks in its modern-day racing programme. The A450b scored its first FIA WEC points there in 2015. The year after, the A460 won at Spa before winning the LMP2 world title. It was followed by a pole and two podiums for the A470, which reclaimed the crown in 2018, three years before the A480's first race and runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022.
This year, however, the context is different, with the team continuing its learning curve with the Alpine A424 hypercar. After an encouraging start in Qatar, Les Bleus experienced more difficulties at Imola. With a growing knowledge of its package, the team heads to Belgium to glean as much information as possible from an event often regarded as the final run-through before the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Alpine will pay close attention to the smallest details crucial in the premier category. Both crews will also put their experience of the track to good use for Alpine, with the trio in the #36 car comprising three former Spa-Francorchamps winners in Matthieu Vaxiviere, Mick Schumacher and Nicolas Lapierre. In the #35 sister car, Jules Gounon will again stand in for Ferdinand Habsburg, whose recovery is progressing well. A two-time winner of the Spa 24 Hours, the Frenchman will continue his learning process of the prototype on a track he is particularly fond of, alongside Charles Milesi and Paul-Loup Chatin.
The action gets underway on Thursday with two 90-minute free practice sessions. On Friday, a final one-hour session will precede qualifying and the Hyperpole. As tradition dictates, the 13th edition of the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps takes place on Saturday. The race will start at 1 pm, with the #35 and #36 Alpine A424s battling with 17 other Hypercars.
While in Belgium, Alpine will unveil the first rolling version of the Alpenglow. Unveiled at the 2022 Paris Motor Show, the concept car now features a new design and a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine. Presented statically on 10 May and dynamically on 11 May, Alpenglow embodies the future of the brand's design while also serving as a laboratory for future sustainable mobility technologies that enhance driving pleasure.
To follow the TotalEnergiers 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps live, head to www.fiawec.com.
Philippe Sinault, Alpine Endurance Team Principal
'It's always a pleasure to come to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, a legendary circuit and a hotbed of endurance racing. We knew that the previous race at Imola would be difficult because of the track characteristics. This week, we are back at a more familiar venue, more like the circuits we will encounter for the rest of the season. Jules will join us again while Ferdinand continues his recovery, which should only be a few days more. This week's target is clear: we want to build upon what we've learnt from the first two races to know more about where we stand technically and operationally after the race. It is an important moment in our project and a veritable run-through, as it's one of the last opportunities for us to fine-tune the package and operating systems we will have at Le Mans. We've done a lot of work in the run-up to this race, which should also serve to rally the team and prepare it for the long home stretch before we head to the Sarthe."
Schedules (CEST)
Thursday 9 May
11:30-13:00: Free practice 1
17:30-19:00: Free practice 2
Friday 10 May
11:00-12:00: Free practice 3
15:30-15:42: Hypercar Qualifying
15:53-16:03: Hypercar Hyperpole
Saturday 11 May
13:00-19:00: TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps