Just three weeks after the resumption of the season in Austin, the FIA WEC and Alpine Endurance Team are crossing the Pacific Ocean and heading to the Far East to begin the final sprint in Asia, which starts in Japan before the season finale in Bahrain.

 


The penultimate round of the calendar will take place at Fuji Speedway and will mark the 100th race in the championship's modern history. Located some 100 km from Tokyo, this motorsport landmark is an unconventional 4,563-metre circuit. It is notable for its 1.5-kilometre straight, fast corners and a particularly twisty third and final sector.

 

 

Alpine has a rich history on this track. As early as 1978, the A-arrow brand shone here with the victory of Masahiro Hasemi and Kazuyoshi Hoshino's A441 in the Fuji 500 kilometres. Les Bleus then finished on the podium in their category every year from 2015 to 2018, before finishing third overall in 2022 and 2024. A year ago, the A424 secured its first podium finish there with Nicolas Lapierre, Mick Schumacher and Matthieu Vaxiviere. The sister car, driven by Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg and Jules Gounon, clocked the fastest lap of the race.

 

 

Despite these successes, the team will approach this weekend with a sense of humility, while striving to recapture the momentum of the first half of the season. After a difficult return to action in Texas, Alpine Endurance Team will attempt to master all the subtleties of a track that requires a careful balance between aerodynamic finesse and effective traction. The work of engineers, mechanics, and strategists will also be crucial in overcoming traffic, tyre degradation, and the weather, which is forecasted to be just as tricky and unpredictable as it was in Austin.

 

 

Mick Schumacher, Frédéric Makowiecki, and Jules Gounon (#36), as well as Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg, and Paul-Loup Chatin (#35), will bring their experience to bear in a country where a vibrant and dynamic community supports the brand founded by Jean Rédélé. Last week, the two crews took advantage of the short break to perfect their knowledge of the track on the simulator before flying to the archipelago.
Upon their arrival on Monday at the foot of Mount Fuji, the team will focus on servicing the A424s and fine-tuning their preparations before the first practice sessions on Friday. Work will continue on Saturday before qualifying in the afternoon. The race starts at 11:00 am local time, 4:00 am CEST.

 

 

To follow the 6 Hours of Fuji, head to www.fiawec.com.

 

 

Philippe Sinault, Team Principal Alpine Endurance Team
"Fuji is one of the iconic races on the calendar, with Mount Fuji in the background. It's always a pleasure to visit this circuit where we've enjoyed some wonderful moments, including our first podium finish with the A424 last year. We feel a special fervour in Japan, as well as a deep attachment to the Alpine brand, which makes it somewhat of a second home for us. This track is very demanding, with one of the longest straights of the season, followed by a section that emphasises aerodynamic downforce and a very twisty final sector, where mechanical grip and traction are crucial. As is often the case here, the weather will also be a determining factor. After Austin, the goal is to learn as much as possible, especially in conditions that are likely to be tricky once again. We are tackling this event with humility, but also with the desire to have a clean race and to show a level of performance more in line with our potential."

 

 

Timetable (CEST)


Friday 26 September
3:15-4:45: Free Practice 1
7:30-9:00: Free Practice 2


Saturday 27 September
2:50-3:50: Free Practice 3
8:00-8:12: Hypercar Qualifying
8:20-8:30: Hypercar Hyperpole


Sunday 28 September
4:00-10:00: 6 Hours of Fuji