A year after losing his place in Formula 1, the 24-year-old former Haas driver will make his endurance debut at the wheel of one of the two Alpines entered in Hypercar next season, the French manufacturer announced on Wednesday. “A new challenge awaits me (…), I grew up and evolved with single-seaters, driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is an excellent opportunity for me to refine my driving skills,” said declared Schumacher, quoted in a press release.
The German made his first laps last October at the wheel of the A424 expected next year at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the highlight of the championship, during tests organized in Spain. He will compete alongside four Frenchmen: Nicolas Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere and Charles Milesi – three drivers already active in the team – and Paul-Loup Chatin. The Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg will complete one of the two trios.
The exact distribution of drivers for the two cars, as well as the official livery, will be revealed on February 7, 2024. “With Philippe Sinault (team manager, Editor’s note), we were keen to recruit drivers who were not only fast and reliable, but also having a real team spirit and good racing intelligence,” explained Bruno Famin, vice-president of the sports branch of Alpine. “Everyone brings to the project their own experience and their own qualities, for example Charles with his youth (22 years old, editor’s note), Nicolas with his experience in endurance – he will be the mentor of the young drivers -, and also Mick with his experience of very high level,” continued the Frenchman
After leaving the premier category of the WEC at the end of 2022, the brand which belongs to the Renault group will make its return at the beginning of March for the 6 Hours of Qatar – with, this time, competition much more varied than in 2022 and above all very tough. Indeed, Alpine will be facing many major manufacturers who have joined or will join the Hypercar category like it, like Ferrari, returning in 2023, or Lamborghini and BMW, also expected next year.