The 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season kicked off in Qatar in February and now returns to the Middle East for the eighth and final round of the calendar in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

 

 

Building on a podium finish in 2024, Alpine Endurance Team continued to progress throughout its second year of operation with the A424, securing two more top-three finishes, before winning the 100th race in the FIA World Endurance Championship history at Fuji.

 

 

At the 5.412 km Bahrain International Circuit, renowned for its tyre-degrading surface, Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg and Paul-Loup Chatin (#35), along with Frédéric Makowiecki, Jules Gounon and Mick

 

 

Schumacher (#36) will seek to end their campaign on another positive note.

 

 

To achieve this, the crews will benefit from the team's experience on the track, where Alpine secured its first pole position on the world stage ten years ago and has achieved several podium finishes (one in LMP2 in 2016 and three overall in 2021 and 2022). Last year, the French team also made its mark on the race, sealing fourth place in the Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers' Championship.

 

 

From the practice sessions onward, the focus will be on several crucial aspects of the unique eight-hour race format: set-up, energy consumption, tyre compound evaluation, and stint management. Alpine made the best use of its Michelin tyres at Fuji. The aim in Bahrain will be to maintain this advantage. Competitors will also have to prepare for the challenge of diminishing light and temperatures as night falls.

 

 

Thursday will feature two free practice sessions, followed by another and qualifying on Friday. The race starts on Saturday at 2 pm local time (midday in Europe). The following day, the team will focus on the Rookie Test, where Frédéric Makowiecki will put in a short run before handing over to António Félix da Costa for his first official test in his new colours. Alpine will then participate in private testing in Sakhir before heading into the off-season.

 

 

To follow the 8 Hours of Bahrain, go to www.fiawec.com.

 

 

Philippe Sinault, Team Principal Alpine Endurance Team
"We've regained some solid momentum since our victory at Fuji, and the challenge now is to keep improving to remain among the top manufacturers in the premier class, where the competition is exceptionally strong. The specific characteristics of Bahrain are well known. The track, located in the middle of the desert, requires particular attention to tyre degradation, accentuated by the sand and the temperature variations between day and night. Again, this will be a key factor if we are to be competitive throughout the race. The whole team is 100% focused on finishing the season in the best possible way. To do this, the goal will be to achieve what we have not yet done this season: get both of our cars into strong points-scoring positions. Meanwhile, we are already looking ahead to 2026. We have been working on this for many weeks, but we will really get down to business as soon as the chequered flag falls Saturday evening."

 

 

Timetable (CET)


Thursday 6 November
10:15-11:45: Free Practice 1
15:00-16:30: Free Practice 2


Friday 7 November
10:00-11:00: Free Practice 3
14:40-14:52: Hypercar Qualifying
15:00-15:10: Hypercar Hyperpole


Saturday 8 November
12:00-20:00: 8 Hours of Bahrain


Sunday 9 November
8:00-10:00: Rookie Test
11:00-14:00: Rookie Test