Makowiecki's first steps at Alpine : “I really want to be positive and bring something to the team”

This is the new face ofAlpine in 2025: Frédéric Makowiecki joins the French fold for the 2025 season of the World ChampionshipEndurance. For its second campaign in Hypercar, the A fléché has secured the services of one of the most experienced drivers, with a long experience at Porsche – a manufacturer that won the Drivers’ title last year. After being an official driver for the Stuttgart firm for more than 10 years, the Tricolore is embarking on a new challenge with the French team.

New team, new teammates (Mick Schumacher and Jules Gounon on the n°36) and new car. Last Monday, the Arrageois was able to take the wheel of the A424 for the first time, on the Monza circuit. "I'm very happy with the way the car is handling. It has a lot of potential, and I'm looking forward to seeing where we'll be in Qatar.", this was the first reaction of Frédéric Makowiecki after his first ride in the French Hypercar in Lombardy.

Makowiecki in his element at Alpine

During a round table organized by Alpine and at which AUTOhebdo was present, the 44-year-old driver returned in detail to this new challenge which presents itself to him. "I was able to talk with Philippe [Sinault], with Bruno [Famin], I really liked their approach, we have the same vision of the competition. In my career, I am closer to the end than the beginning, that's why the objective is to have fun and enjoy going on the track because I work with people who share the same vision as me, explains Frédéric Makowiecki. I didn't feel the desire to continue in an environment where, at times, there could be tension, or wishes different from mine. In a way, it affected me more than in the past, when I was younger. Since I've been [at Alpine], I'm happy to spend time and I really want to end my career where I feel that the vision is shared on both sides and that I can bring something to the team."

“I am usually quite an impatient person, but in my first discussions with Philippe he told me: ‘Take your time’. I really want to be positive and bring something to the team, step by step., he adds regarding his ambitions for his first season with Alpine. It's that when I was at Porsche, I knew more or less all the details, and sometimes I asked a lot. Now, I take more time to analyze everything and to try to bring something positive. What is interesting is that at the end of the 2024 season, the two manufacturers had similar performances because Alpine was very strong in the last rounds. However, they do it in a totally different way, so if I can bring what I know extra here, I think the package can be very strong."

A healthy and ambitious relationship

As for Alpine, obviously, we are delighted to have all the expertise of the French driver, defector from Porsche and actor in the impressive progression of the German manufacturer between 2023 and 2024. "It's an opportunity to work with Fred," emphasizes Philippe Sinault, Team Principal ofAlpine Endurance Team. The spirit is there, the will is there and the experience too. When the door opened to have Fred in our crew, we didn't really hesitate. It's a very good opportunity and it will be a big time saver for the project. I'm very happy to have him in the boat with us."

Ambitious and willing to help Alpine to progress, Frédéric Makowiecki believes that the A arrow has a good working base after his first days with the French team. The Frenchman was particularly impressed by the progress shown by Alpine in 2024, and hopes that his contribution will help the French clan take a step forward. 

"We were able to work very early on many aspects: this category is very complex, the way to find performance is very difficult. For my part, I try to make sure that we respect the priority of what is important. Here, there are a lot of talented people, we saw it last year with the progression that [Alpine] experienced. For their first year, it was quite strong because at the end of the season, they were there to play with the best during the second part of the season, remember the Arrageois. The goal is to repeat this and bring my experience with another manufacturer to say: 'OK, we have to apply this on all tracks'. If we can do that, I am sure we can have a good package. Since I arrived, the feeling with the car and with the team is very good, and it is better and better every time we meet.

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