Alpine set for aero Joker update

Alpine Endurance Team's A424 Hypercar is set to compete with a revised aero package in 2026, with the French manufacturer opting to deploy an EVO Joker update to the car. But visually, Alpine’s vice president, Bruno Famin, has told RACER that the changes to the car will be subtle.

"As all the Hypercars have to go to WindShear again (this winter as part of a fresh homologation process for every manufacturer in one wind tunnel), we used that opportunity to homologate a new aero kit,” he said. “It won't change the look of the car. It's something we can see, but it will be light. It won't be super visible.”

The response begs the question: Is the bulk of the update focused on the car’s floor?

Famin echoed what Alpine team boss Philippe Sinault previously told RACER back in July, that an update to the car was required because the A424 has explicitly suffered from the introduction of the two-stage BoP, which restricts the power levels of each car above and below 250 kph (155 mph) separately.

"The target is to get more downforce," Famin said. "When we homologated the car at the beginning of the program, we had a low-drag, low-downforce version, then the dual band came and cut the top speed. Now we have to find additional downforce. We have tested it in the wind tunnel, and we will test on track before homologation one of these days."

Famin wouldn't disclose whether the track test for the new package will be in Bahrain next week, when multiple cars are due to continue running at the Sakhir Circuit after Saturday's race and Sunday’s Rookie Test.

Another element of Alpine’s program that’s evolving for 2026 is its driver line-up. So far, Antonio Felix da Costa has been confirmed as a new addition to the full-time stable (he will test the car on Sunday), but it is not yet entirely clear which driver he is replacing or if further outgoings are expected.

Famin kept his cards close to his chest when asked to give his outlook on the team’s talent pool.

"If there are (more changes), we are not ready to communicate further driver changes,” he said. “We have time, no pressure. We still have some questions to answer before being able to finalize it.

“We have to see if there are some 'out' or not, and how many. There's a question about Mick (Schumacher), for example, it's not a secret."

Either way, Famin is increasingly bullish about Alpine’s prospects as the third season for its LMDh program approaches, helped in large part by the mentality it showcased en route to its breakthrough win with the A424 in Fuji last time out.

"We really fought for the win,” he reflected. “What I really liked is that we were not happy finishing third or fourth. We gambled and we played for more, and it was successful. I'm happy with that attitude.

“The win is much better than points. This weekend we can finish fourth or seventh in the championship, but to be honest, fourth, fifth, sixth... Three podiums, one win was much more important."