da Costa joins Alpine Hypercar roster

Portuguese racer António Félix da Costa has signed a multi-year contract to join Alpine Endurance Team's Hypercar roster ahead of the 2026 FIA WEC season.

Da Costa brings a wealth of experience in single-seaters and sportscar racing to Les Bleus' driver stable, including two Macau Grand Prix victories and a Formula E title, as well as an FIA WEC LMP2 championship and Le Mans class win with JOTA Sport in 2022.

Da Costa, who was previously on Porsche's books, got his first taste of Alpine's A424 LMDh prototype on the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit with the team on Monday. His next assignment will be a run in the post-season Bahrain Rookie Test next month.

"We are thrilled to welcome António," said Philippe Sinault, the team principal of Alpine Endurance Team.

"We have known each other for a long time, and our paths have often crossed, particularly in F3 and Endurance racing. There has always been mutual respect between us, as well as a desire to work together one day. It is truly satisfying to see this wish come true today. António is a pure racer who has always known how to get the best out of his car and has been a formidable competitor.

"His presence has left its mark on every team and category he has raced for. He fits in perfectly with our philosophy: human, committed, and focused solely on efficiency. We share the same passion and vision, and we are familiar with his environment, so I am confident that we will quickly become fully operational and performant. António will bring a lot with his experience, personality, and results-oriented culture, and we are excited about taking on future challenges together."

Da Costa added: "I am delighted to join Alpine Endurance Team. Returning to the FIA World Endurance Championship was one of my main objectives, and I am extremely pleased to do so with a manufacturer that has been redefining itself in a bold and ambitious way, and now competing at the forefront of endurance racing. Alpine is a brand with a strong racing heritage, and becoming part of such an impressive ecosystem is truly exciting.

"The team has been performing at a very high level, recently scored its maiden victory with the A424, making this the perfect moment to begin our collaboration. Everyone knows my passion for endurance racing. I have worked extremely hard to develop as a complete driver in this discipline and, after winning the LMP2 title, my goal now is to contribute to Alpine's success at the pinnacle. I look forward to working with the team, my teammates and all the engineers and mechanics."

Alpine has not formally announced which driver Da Costa will replace in the team's current Hypercar roster, though multiple current Alpine factory drivers are expected to be on the move as part of a shake-up in driver lineups across the FIA WEC's top class.

"We are very pleased to welcome António Félix da Costa to Alpine Endurance Team," said Nicolas Lapierre, sporting director of the Alpine Endurance Team. "António's profile is exactly what we were looking for: speed, experience and a thorough knowledge of endurance racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"His track record in multiple categories speaks for itself, and we know he will bring a lot to the team, both in sporting terms and on a personal level. He is a complete, determined and charismatic driver who will quickly integrate into our structure. We are eager to embark on this new adventure and start working together to make Alpine an ever-stronger force at the forefront of the FIA WEC."