Alpine confident Le Mans aero update has cured key tyre weakness

Alpine arrive at Le Mans with renewed confidence

Alpine believe they are better prepared for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, with team management and drivers pointing to a stronger package, a more targeted aerodynamic update and a clearer understanding of the car than in previous seasons.

The centrepiece of Alpine’s optimism is a revised aero package introduced for 2026. The update was designed to address issues the team had identified since the car began racing in 2024, with Le Mans specifically in mind.

Tyres remain a central unknown

Lapierre noted that cooler conditions during practice and qualifying, followed by warmer weather expected for the race weekend, had already produced varied tyre strategies. For more on the expected race-weekend conditions, see our latest update on the Le Mans 24 Hours weather forecast.

The new compound warms up more quickly and offers greater grip than before, reducing the need for drivers to carefully nurse cold tyres out of the pits. Even so, Alpine has used testing and practice to prepare for the range of temperatures it expects to face.

Aero balance reset targets consistency

Lapierre identified the main step as an improved aerodynamic balance. "Clearly last year we suffered with the aero balance," he said. "So we used an evo performance joker to reset the aero balance. It seems that it’s been working pretty well on the test day."

Charles Milesi, driver of the #35 Alpine, explained that the previous weakness had contributed to front-tyre "shattering" — a vibration under steering angle that caused the tyre to slide across the asphalt. He said the new package had effectively removed that behaviour by adding front aero balance as well as downforce.

That change is significant because Alpine’s problem was not only peak pace, but repeatability. Milesi said the car could be quick early in a stint before losing front grip and consistency as shattering appeared.

He also stressed that Alpine’s progress is not purely aerodynamic. Mechanical set-up changes and a deeper understanding of the car have contributed to a package he described as familiar, but improved: "It’s the same feeling, just better in every way." As the Le Mans competitive order continues to take shape, Alpine’s qualifying performance will be another key reference point, with more context available in our report on Alpine edging Cadillac in Le Mans qualifying.