ALPINE LOCK IN WEC HYPERCAR FUTURE

Alpine will enter the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category from 2024, joining several manufacturers who have committed to the new formula.

The manufacturer intends to commit to the WEC’s Hypercar category for four years, taking them through to the end of the 2027 season.

Alpine has confirmed a two-car entry for the top tier Hypercar category, designed around an Oreca chassis with an Alpine engine developed in Viry-Chatillon, France.

The engine, chassis and body package will benefit from the contribution of Signatech and Alpine Formula 1 experts.

Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi believed the commitment was a signal of intent by his marque.

“The Alpine Endurance program underlines the brand’s dedication and ambition in motorsport,” Rossi said.

“By competing in both Formula 1 and endurance, Alpine will be one of the rare brands to be present in the two key disciplines of motorsport.

“We will make the most of Formula 1 and endurance through technical and technological synergies to gain the advantage over prestigious opponents.”

Alpine have chalked up titles in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in 2013 and 2014 and FIA ​​WEC LMP2 in 2016 and 2019 since returning to endurance racing.

Furthermore, the manufacturer has achieved three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 category in 2016, 2018 and 2019, as well as a podium in the Hypercar category at Le Mans this year.

Signatech Alpine Team Principal Phillipe Sinault was looking forward to continuing the partnership with Alpine into the LMDh era.

“It is a great pride for Signatech to have been chosen by Alpine for its arrival in LMDh,” Sinault said.

“This represents the culmination of a common project that began eight years ago.

“More than ever, we have great ambitions, and are happy to take our collaboration to another dimension.

“After 32 years of career in motorsport, I can’t wait to challenge the most prestigious manufacturers on the planet, with Alpine, a brand that conveys passion and lives only for victory.”

FIA WEC CEO Frederic Lequien was excited about the ongoing involvement of Alpine.

“The confirmation of Alpine’s involvement in Hypercar is excellent news that will take our championship far beyond the boundaries of endurance racing,” Lequien said.

“Alpine and Signatech have a glorious history in FIA WEC and, with the technical expertise and know-how of the entire Alpine team, I am confident that the team will fight for the world crown.

“It is an honour that Alpine continues to accompany us in this exciting new era of our sport.”

Along with partner Signatech, Alpine plan to remain in the WEC until the new LMDh car is rolled out in 2024 but have not confirmed in what capacity.

Alpine currently have a talented list of drivers at its disposal in addition to its current WEC line-up of Andre Negrao, Nicolas Lapierre and Matthieu Vaxiviere.

Experienced veteran Fernando Alonso, who already has two Le Mans 24 Hour wins to his credit, and Frenchman Esteban Ocon currently occupy the brands F1 seats, sitting 10th and 11th in the championship respectively.

While the Alpine Driver Academy is full of talented youngsters looking to make the next step in their careers including Oscar Piastri, Guanyu Zhou, Christian Lundgaard, Victor Martins and Caio Collet.

Piastri and Zhou are locked in a title battle in to claim this years Formula 2 title, while Lundgaard is placed 11th.

In the Formula 3 Championship, both Martins and Collet finished in the top 10.

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