An emotional chapter has officially come to a close for Ferdinand Habsburg following his final race appearance with the Alpine factory squad at the historic Monza circuit. Although the weekend did not conclude with a fairytale victory on track due to a mid-race incident at the Parabolica, the Austrian driver departs with deep gratitude after spending three remarkable seasons wearing the manufacturer's colors.
The season-ending Italian round nearly delivered a triumphant grand finale for the French endurance outfit, but their sister car narrowly missed out on victory behind the leading Cadillac. Habsburg's hopes of securing a strong points finish while running comfortably inside the top five were dashed following an unfortunate accident past the race's halfway mark. Despite the on-track heartbreak, the overarching sentiment inside the garage was one of mutual respect, fond memories, and acknowledgment of the squad's significant sporting progress.
"Yes, because of the people in the team with whom I have formed friendships over the years," Habsburg reflected when asked about leaving the squad. "And because it's a shame for this team, especially right now when the sporting upturn was clearly visible. But it is always the case that chapters end and new ones begin. I am not thinking about it too much. Last weekend in Italy we had good food, everyone was somehow positive despite the situation."
Looking back at his development within the endurance racing setup, the 29-year-old admitted he initially felt like an outsider as the sole non-French speaker in the squad. However, the warm integration and unwavering support from the mechanics and engineers quickly turned the paddock into a second home, paving the way for hard-fought milestones including their memorable victory in Japan.
With options for a premier Hypercar seat remaining limited for the immediate future, a pragmatic yet ambitious roadmap has been established. Habsburg confirmed plans to contest the IMSA LMP2 category next season while keeping his ultimate ambition alive, alongside winter outings in the Asian Le Mans Series as he continues to chase a permanent factory prototype return.
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