Alpine Endurance Team at Imola: A solid start in FP1 and FP2

Alpine Endurance Team didn’t try to make a statement this Friday at Imola. They simply executed. And that, more than anything, is what stands out. In a historically tight Hypercar field, the A424s completed two clean sessions, building pace logically from morning to afternoon. Nothing spectacular on the surface — but plenty of signs that the work initiated in 2024 and consolidated in 2025 is now reaching full maturity.

Context matters: Ferrari is racing on home soil, Toyota remains the benchmark, and behind them, every manufacturer looks capable of operating within the same second. In that environment, Alpine isn’t overreaching. It’s settling in.

A disciplined FP1, no unnecessary risks

The opening session doesn’t lend itself to bold conclusions. Cool track conditions, evolving grip, and two brief neutralisations meant structure mattered more than outright pace.

Alpine Endurance Team executed that plan cleanly. The #35 quickly found a stable rhythm, with Charles Milesi setting the benchmark at 1:32.692 early in the session. The lap was tidy — no traffic, no excess. Ferdinand Habsburg and António Félix da Costa followed with closely matched times, confirming a predictable and well-balanced car.

The #36 followed a similar approach, with a slightly stronger focus on longer runs. Frédéric Makowiecki set the best time at 1:33.091, but the key takeaway lies elsewhere: no incidents, no unplanned pit stops, no visible tyre degradation.

With Ferrari locking out the top three positions, Alpine placed the #35 eighth, within one second of the benchmark. The #36 sat further back, but still within the same extended performance window. The foundations were clearly in place.

FP2: making full use of improved conditions

The afternoon session opened a different chapter. The track improved significantly, strategies evolved, and qualifying simulations appeared within the opening minutes.

Alpine chose that moment to fully exploit the window.

Charles Milesi delivered a 1:30.898 early in the session. A clean lap, executed on a clear track, putting the #35 at the top. The time must be viewed in context — soft tyres, optimal timing — but it confirms a key point: the A424 can now convert opportunity into outright performance.

Behind, Toyota and Ferrari remained immediately within reach. The gaps were minimal, and the hierarchy remained fluid.

The #36, with Jules Gounon at 1:31.538, confirmed a trend already seen in the morning: less about peak pace, more about consistency within the leading group. No meaningful spread between drivers, no traffic issues.

Beyond the lap times

Friday doesn’t define the hierarchy, but it does establish clear reference points.

Alpine ticks the essential boxes:

• no operational mistakes
• no on-track incidents
• strong and consistent mileage
• controlled gaps between drivers
• both cars operating in the right window

Most importantly, the progression from FP1 to FP2 is logical and uninterrupted. The #35 moves from management to execution, while the #36 remains consistent. Nothing is forced.

Ferrari retains a strong baseline, particularly over longer runs. Toyota is immediately competitive. Peugeot, BMW and Cadillac remain close.

In that context, Alpine isn’t dominating the weekend — but it is firmly part of the fight.

The #35 looks capable of reaching Hyperpole if execution remains clean. The #36 appears well positioned for a top-10 qualifying result.

Hypercar standings

FP1 – Top 10:

FP2 – Top 10:

Looking ahead

It’s only Friday. Fuel loads, strategies and true performance levels remain partially hidden. But in this exercise, Alpine leaves nothing to chance.

No unnecessary statements. No overplaying. Just a team executing cleanly, with a car it now fully understands.

That’s often how strong endurance weekends begin.

Credits : Alpine Endurance Team