24h Le Mans
Alpine Endurance Team has announced the recruitment of António Félix da Costa from next season’s FIA World Endurance Championship. The Portuguese driver – LMP2 class winner at the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans and 2019-2020 Formula E world champion – will bring his wealth of experience and quest for performance to the French outfit.
A major coup for Alpine Endurance Team! António Félix da Costa will join the French outfit in 2026 for its Hypercar programme for the FIA WEC, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 34-year-old Portuguese all-rounder, who has tasted success at Le Mans and in Formula E, has signed a long-term deal to help Alpine become a fixture at the very top of international endurance. After a first outing in the A424 at Le Mans’ Bugatti circuit, Da Costa now plans to settle into the French Hypercar at the Rookie Test in Bahrain
The Cascais-born Da Costa has forged a solid reputation built on his speed and adaptability. After cutting his teeth in Formula Renault, and then DTM and GT, he showed outstanding promise in single-seaters, picking up two wins at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix and garnering several Formula One trials. His versatility has earned him a reputation as one of the best all-round drivers of his generation.
In addition to winning the Formula E world championship in 2019-2020, Da Costa has also shone in endurance. After a promising début in LMGTE Pro, he clinched the LMP2 title and scooped a 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 2022. A switch to Hypercar saw him help his crew to victory in the 2023 FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams.
For Philippe Sinault, Team Principal of Alpine Endurance Team, Da Costa’s arrival is the outcome of “mutual respect between us, as well as a desire to work together one day”. The Frenchman recognises in Da Costa “a pure racer who has always known how to get the best out of his car and [...] a formidable competitor”, in perfect harmony with his team’s values. Da Costa, meanwhile, is “excited to become part of a brand with a strong racing heritage” and reveals that his “goal now is to contribute to Alpine’s success at the pinnacle”.
With this signing, Alpine is underlining its firm intention to rival with the leading Hypercar manufacturers. The Portuguese racer’s experience and rigour will be precious assets in driving the upward trajectory of the A424 after its 2025 6 Hours of Fuji win. António Félix da Costa’s objective is now clear: to take Alpine to a prestigious victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
