Charles Milesi has acknowledged that he is unlikely to race on the FIA World Endurance Championship grid next season as Alpine prepares to depart, and he is already mapping a return path to the Hypercar category in 2028.
The French driver indicated during this month’s Six Hours of Barcelona weekend that a 2027 WEC campaign seems improbable amid fading hopes that the Signatech-run Alpine operation will continue beyond this year under a different banner.
Geely, the Chinese automotive giant, was tied to a potential takeover of the Philippe Sinault-led squad, but discussions are believed to have concluded without an agreement.
In that context, Milesi stated that the large pool of available drivers — including all three of his current Alpine teammates — and the long lapse without any news about Signatech’s future had made the outlook look bleak.
“The later it gets in the season with nothing being announced, the less favorable it appears,” Milesi told Sportscar365. “We wanted to see what would happen with the Alpine program, but it seems it will probably be difficult.
“There aren’t many seats open [elsewhere] next year. If we cannot secure a seat [in WEC], I will seek alternatives.
“I’m not the only one in this situation. Only Antonio [Felix da Costa] found a seat [among this year’s Alpine drivers]. Then we’ll see what the future holds.”
He added: “There are so many drivers on the market and not enough teams actively seeking drivers, even though there are many teams on the grid. There are far more drivers available than there are seats.
“If staying in [the WEC] isn’t possible, maybe 2028. This has been the pattern for the last six or seven months since the program was announced to be winding down.”
“I’m not saying this is a routine outcome for us, that we might not race next year in Hypercar, but I think that’s where the situation stands.”
Milesi highlighted the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship — where he has served as a reserve driver for LMP2 outfit TDS Racing in recent seasons — as a potential destination for 2027 while he works on a plan to return to WEC the following year.
“Perhaps something could come up in IMSA or elsewhere,” Milesi said. “I have some indications about what could be available, but I know it will be tough.”
Gounon: LMP2 of Little Interest Amid Mercedes-AMG Commitments
While Milesi did not completely rule out a full-time shift to LMP2, a category in which he also competes in the European Le Mans Series, his Alpine teammate Jules Gounon effectively ruled out switching to the secondary prototype class.
Gounon noted that he holds a valid contract with Mercedes-AMG through 2028, and as a result will return to GT3 competition next year, a move he said makes him “very lucky to be honest” compared with Alpine’s other drivers.
“I’m back in GT3 next year for sure, which isn’t a downgrade, because I have fantastic programs, including the Verstappen project, endurance races, and the fact that you always have a chance to win with AMG,” Gounon told reporters in Barcelona.
“I’ll concentrate on that next year and aim to achieve some big results.”
When asked whether LMP2 could be a path to build on his prototype racing experience, Gounon said that only a ride in the 24 Hours of Le Mans would be of interest.
“If you have the chance to align with a manufacturer, and that manufacturer is AMG, why would I move to LMP2?” he asked. “I’ve already proven I can be a strong Hypercar driver, so I don’t want to switch to LMP2.”
“Maybe at Le Mans, but perhaps Mercedes-AMG has a Le Mans GT program for me.”
