Jules Gounon has two works contracts with Alpine & Mercedes-AMG in the bag: what this year’s program of the Frenchman might look like and where his focus lies
Most racing drivers would be happy to have one factory contract. Jules Gounon even has two! The Frenchman, who was promoted to be Alpine’s core driver in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) this year, also has a contract as a Mercedes-AMG works driver, which expires at the end of 2025.
However, this also means that the 30-year-old can expect a busy season. “I have to be grateful to both manufacturers, AMG and Alpine, for working together and trying to find the best compromises, because you have to make compromises between the two programs,” Gounon knows.
“Of course, I’m very happy to be with Alpine full-time,” the Frenchman admits to Sportscar365. ”It was always my goal to race in the WEC in a full-time hypercar, especially with a competitive car like the one Alpine has. They are getting better and better, and that’s really a great feeling.”
“I’m very grateful to AMG for letting me fulfill my prototype dream while also letting me compete in the best GT races, so I’ll try to reward both brands I work for by working harder and giving my best every single weekend.”
Focus on WEC with Alpine
His focus this year will be on the commitment in the Endurance World Championship, which is why Gounon will only compete in selected races for Mercedes-AMG. “I will be concentrating more on the big goal of the manufacturers, which I can’t reveal yet, but there is a great program coming up with AMG,” says the 30-year-old, slightly mysteriously.
The Mercedes-AMG management team “reviewed the Frenchman’s schedule and, as a first step, ensured that he would be available to drive for Mercedes-AMG in what we consider to be the most important races,” reveals Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing. “Of course, this is an ongoing process throughout the season, but we are in very good contact with Jules and Alpine in this regard.”
“Bruno [Famin, Vice President of Alpine Motorsport] and Stefan Wendl are in contact and also talk about the programs together, so that’s a great connection between the two,” Gounon confirms. ‘Of course, Alpine is now also working with the Mercedes F1 engine, so there is a great connection between the two brands.’
Gounon has little prototype experience
Nevertheless, Gounon knows that both sides have to be willing to make some compromises. “Once again, I am very grateful to Alpine, Bruno Famin and Nico Lapierre for going out of their way, and on the AMG side, to Chris Sagemüller and Stefan Wendl for really making this possible for me.”
What does the Frenchman hope to achieve from his Le Mans debut? “You always have expectations. If you don’t dream big, you can’t achieve anything,” grins Gounon, without giving any details. After all, the 30-year-old doesn’t have much experience in single-seater and prototype racing, even though he was able to contest a few WEC races for Alpine in 2024.
“I was in Formula 4 for a year, but I’ve never experienced downforce in my life, I’ve never driven prototypes, so the chances of me driving a hypercar were pretty slim,” recalls the son of former Formula 1 driver Jean-Marc Gounon.
“But I think that Bruno, Philippe Sinault and Nico Lapierre always had an eye on me back then. They gave me the chance to test a prototype, which went very well. The rest is just history, step by step. I really hope that we will have a good year together and hopefully achieve great things.”
