Alpine Removed Two Drivers From Fuji WEC Line-up
The manufacturer shifted to two-driver crews for the remainder of the 2026 World Endurance Championship season.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Motorsports
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Alpine has dropped Antonio Felix da Costa and Fred Makowiecki from its driver rotation for the upcoming Fuji 6 Hours. The team will now utilize two-driver crews for the #35 and #36 Alpine A424 entries for the rest of the year.
Why it matters
Recent changes to the WEC calendar, which shifted the focus to shorter European events, removed the mandate for three-driver crews. This transition allows teams like Alpine to explore new strategic options during their races.
Alpine will field Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi in the #35 car, while Jules Gounon and Victor Martins pilot the #36 entry. This adjustment follows a third-place finish for the manufacturer at the Austin race earlier in September 2026.
The players
Alpine
This is a French automotive manufacturer and racing brand currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Signatech
This is a French racing team that manages the Alpine Hypercar operations and is currently seeking future manufacturing partners.
Antonio Felix da Costa
He is a professional racing driver who won the Le Mans and WEC LMP2 titles in 2022 and is reportedly joining Cadillac next season.
The details
The team opted for a lean two-driver structure as the championship moves away from long-distance events that necessitated larger rosters. Da Costa and Makowiecki, who were on the original entry list, are not expected to return for the season-ending rounds in Barcelona and Monza.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Alpine announced the driver line-up changes.
September 26-27, 2026: The Fuji 6 Hours race weekend takes place.
End of 2026: Renault Group plans to exit the Hypercar category.
Season Trajectory
This roster consolidation reflects a broader shift toward operational efficiency as teams prepare for the departure of Renault Group at the end of the year. The change impacts Alpine's strategic depth heading into the final rounds of the 2026 championship.
Fans tracking team performance will see a shift in rotation strategy as Alpine attempts to secure results with only two drivers per vehicle. This configuration effectively closes the door on mid-race rotation flexibility provided by a third driver for the remainder of the 2026 calendar.
The takeaway
The move underscores the impact of evolving WEC regulations on team management as manufacturers prepare for major changes in 2027. Fans should monitor roster updates closely as teams adapt to shorter event formats and shifting partnerships.
Further reading
For more on the current standing of the season, visit our Motorsports section.
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