Ferdinand Habsburg: the archduke who races

Ferdinand Habsburg, a descendant of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty, has forged a remarkable career and is now competing as an alpine endurance driver, making his debut in a Hypercar at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He wants to gain experience this year and aim for victory next season.

One hundred and eighty-eight names appear on the list of participants, and one of them immediately catches the eye. It is not the most famous name in motorsport, but it evokes school history lessons: Ferdinand Habsburg, the same surname as the dynasty that once ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

This is no coincidence. The Alpine driver is a direct descendant of that lineage. Born in Salzburg, the great-grandson of Charles I, the last Austro-Hungarian emperor, left his aristocratic heritage behind to pursue the fastest cars on the planet. This will be his fourth appearance at Le Mans, adding a new chapter to his family's incredible motorsport saga.

His career path invites comparison with another Austrian legend, Niki Lauda, but Habsburg insists that the parallels end with their shared love of motor racing. “I'm still learning a lot from what Niki did and how he drove,” he says with a smile. “In a way, he's a role model for me. From an early age, the future 27-year-old driver was surrounded by cars. His father, a Porsche enthusiast, put him in a kart before he could even walk. “I loved the feeling of controlling a kart,” Habsburg recalls. “Lap after lap, seeing my times improve, that's when my passion developed.” ” It was his talent, not money, that propelled him forward: several karting victories, a second place in Euroformula, and a near victory in Macau during his time in Formula 3. He appreciates the lightness and demanding nature of these cars, saying that they “teach you a lot and the sensations are incredible.” In October 2023, he got behind the wheel of the Alpine Hypercar, the A424, for the first time during a test session. “I immediately felt comfortable, it was incredible,” he admits, adding that he was eager to move on to the next test. “I'm not good at staying in bed for weeks, I get restless.” That feeling was confirmed in Qatar, where he finished seventh alongside Charles Milesi and Paul-Loup Chatin. “We quickly identified our weaknesses compared to the competition,” he notes.

An accident during private testing in Spain later that year changed everything. Two fractured vertebrae forced him into a period of enforced rest in Vienna. “I'm not the type to stay in bed for weeks, so the hardest part was learning to relax,” explains Habsburg, who thanks those around him for their support.

Although he was born in Salzburg, he moved to Vienna for his studies and now considers the capital his home, describing it as “beautiful and very safe.” However, he remains attached to his hometown. “Do you like mountains, beer, and good food? Then Salzburg is perfect: winter brings the Christmas market and snow, summer offers everything else,” he says with a laugh.

After several weeks away from the circuits, Habsburg is back in shape and ready to defend his title at Le Mans. In 2021, at the wheel of a WRT in LMP2, he took the victory after a sister car's misfortune on the final lap. “I remember thinking, ‘Do your best and we'll see what happens,'” he recalls. This year, he hopes to repeat that feat, but acknowledges the challenge: the A424 is in its first full season in Hypercar, and Alpine lacks experience compared to rivals such as Ferrari, Porsche, and Toyota. “Our strength lies in our good mentality: we stay relaxed and approach the race with that attitude,” he explains, adding that the experience gained next year will be an advantage. His teammates also bring their pedigree to the table. Milesi won Le Mans in 2021 and Chatin has taken pole position twice at La Sarthe. “That speaks for itself,” notes Habsburg. With a strong driver lineup, the No. 35 Alpine will battle for pole position in the upcoming Hyper Pole session, hoping that a good start will increase its chances in the 24-hour marathon, a race that never ceases to surprise.