Alpine Elf Matmut Team announces drivers for FIA WEC World Championship

Boulogne-Billancourt, 26^th January2021 -

LMP2 World Champion in 2016 and 2019, theAlpine Elf Matmut team has decided to take it to the next level in 2021 byentering the Hypercar category, the premier class of the 2021 FIA WECChampionship. The Alpine, named A480, will be emblazoned with its favouritenumber, #36, with which the team won the 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 categorythree times in the last five years.

The aim for the Alpine Elf Matmut Team will beto surprise in its first season in the premier class. To this end it will counton the talent of its race team and three drivers.

Frenchman Nicolas Lapierre, champion in 2016and 2019, will be joined by Brazilian André Negrão, with whom he has sharedmany successes within the Alpine team.

The crew will be completed by FrenchmanMatthieu Vaxivière, an experienced endurance competitor with four entries inthe 24 Hours of Le Mans, including two podiums in the LMP2 category in 2019 and2020.

The trio will have only one objective: to delivermaximum performance in each of the six rounds of the FIA WEC Championship andfinish as high as possible.

The crew of the AlpineA480 n°36 will be on track on March 30-31 at the Circuit de Portimão (Portugal)for the official FIA WEC test session, before taking part in the first race onApril 4 on the same circuit.

"With our arrival in Formula 1 and ourinvolvement in the top category of the World Endurance Championship, the Alpinebrand will benefit from a new exposure thanks to motorsport. I trust PhilippeSinault for the choice he has made as his experience and track record in thisdiscipline speak for themselves. I note that two of the three drivers selected havealready made Alpine's colours shine at the Le Mans 24 Hours and have given ourbrand a second LMP2 championship title in 2019. I am sure they willbe able to create a good dynamic with Matthieu Vaxivière that will meet theexpectations of Alpine enthusiasts around the world."

Philippe Sinault, Team Principal of Alpine Elf Matmut Team

"Today we are presenting a new trio of drivers who are up to thechallenge Alpine wants to take in the Hypercar category. We have chosen driverswho complement each other in terms of experience, and whose personalities willcreate a good team spirit in all circumstances. Nicolas and André know eachother well and have demonstrated their ability to work together for the team’sbenefit, and Matthieu Vaxivière quickly became obvious as his human qualitiesand speed are recognised in the paddock. I can assure you that our threedrivers are as motivated as ever to make Alpine's colours shine from the veryfirst laps of the A480 in the FIA WEC championship."

Nicolas Lapierre

"I am very happy that Alpine has decided to enter the top categoryof the World Endurance Championship. This is a category I know well, havingcompeted for five seasons fighting for podiums on circuits all over the world.The Alpine team is, without hesitation, a family with whom I have achievedgreatest success and I have no worries that Philippe Sinault and the members ofhis team will be able to prepare a car that will allow us to play a leadingrole from the very first races of the season."

André Negrão

"Having won everything in the LMP2 category in recent years, it waslogical that Alpine decided to take up the challenge of entering the FIA WECpremier class. I am proud and happy that Alpine has decided to trust me onceagain to represent this brand that speaks to so many motorsport enthusiasts,especially in my country, Brazil, where Alpine has successfully manufacturedand marketed cars in the past."

Matthieu Vaxivière

"I'm already looking forward to the first tests to start workingwith my new team-mates, the team and to discover the car. The reputation ofPhilippe Sinault's team is well established, and I am confident that they willdo an exceptional job in the 2021 season. Driving for a brand like Alpine is ahigh source of motivation for me and I will do my utmost to honour the alreadyvery rich list of achievements of the A Arché in Endurance."

Alpine Elf Matmut Team n°36

NICOLASLAPIERRE (FRA)

Born on 2April 1984 in Thonon-les-Bains (France)

FIAdriver category: Platinum

With asolid record of success in the single-seater category that culminated in the2003 Macau Grand Prix with the Signature team, Nicolas turned his attention toendurance racing in 2008. Earning his first laurels with Team Oreca Matmut, hefinished third in the FIA WEC with Toyota in 2012. In three seasons with theJapanese manufacturer, he won six World Championship races. Winner in LMP2 atthe 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours, he joined Signatech-Alpine for an unforgettable 2016campaign during which he once again won the Sarthe event and the LMP2 title.Nicolas did it yet again in 2018 and 2019, winning his second LMP2 world titlewith Alpine. The Frenchman will be one of the pillars of the team in the newchallenge represented by Alpine's ascent to Hypercar.

In short

2020 FIAWEC – LMP2 5^th

2019 FIAWEC – LMP2 1^st

2017 FIAWEC – LMP2 6^th

2016 FIAWEC – LMP2 1^st

2015 FIAWEC – LMP2 5^th

2014 FIAWEC 6^th

2013 FIAWEC 4^th

2012 FIA WEC 3^rd

2010 Le Mans Series – LMP1 2^nd

2009 Le Mans Series – LMP1 3^rd

2009 Asian Le Mans Series – LMP13^rd

2006A1 GP 1^st

2004Formula 3 Euro Series 3^rd

2003 Formula3 Grand Prix of Macau 1^st

ANDRÉNEGRÃO (BRA)

Born on17 June 1992 in Sao Paulo (Brazil)

FIAdriver category: Gold

Remainingtrue to his heritage, André crossed the Atlantic to build his experience inEurope. Exploring junior formulas on both sides of the ocean, the Brazilian launchedinto endurance racing with Signatech Alpine Matmut during the 2017 season.Quickly adapting to the new prototypes, André surprised with his first podiumat the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His efforts earned him a place in the N°36 car atthe wheel for the 2018-2019 Super season, during which he contributed toAlpine's two victories in the Sarthe event . André will be a valuable asset inthe challenge of the premier class.

In short

2020 FIAWEC – LMP2 9^th

2019 FIAWEC – LMP2 1^st

2017 FIAWEC – LMP2 5^th

2016 IndyLights – 7^th

2015 GP2Series – 20^th

2014 GP2Series – 21^st

2013Formula Renault 3.5 Series – 10^th

2012 FormulaRenault 3.5 Series – 15^th

2012 F3Brazil Open – 2^nd

2011 FormulaRenault 3.5 Series – 20^th

2010 FormulaRenault Eurocup – 13^th

2010 F3Brazil Open – 2^nd

2009Formula Renault Italy – 15^th

2008Formula Renault Portugal Winter Series – 3^rd

MatthieuVaxivière (FRA)

Born on 3December 1994 in Limoges (France)

FIA drivercategory: Gold

Aftermaking a remarkable debut in karting, Matthieu began his career as asingle-seater driver in Formula 4. He won the French F4 Championship in 2011,then took part in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2012 and 2013 competingagainst Alpine F1 Team Driver Esteban Ocon.

In 2014,he became a Lotus F1 Junior Team driver while participating in the FormulaRenault 3.5 Series, a championship in which he finished second in 2015. In2016, he raced in Formula V8 3.5 and the Asian Le Mans Series and by 2017, hetook part in his first Le Mans 24 Hours in the LMP2 category. He obtained threepodiums in the 2018 FIA WEC Championship.

In 2019,he finished the Le Mans 24 Hours in third position, while having set the bestrace lap with a 3mins 27.611seconds. Matthieu did it again in 2020 with asecond podium in a row in LMP2.

In short

2020 24Hdu Mans – LMP2 3^rd

2019 24H du Mans – LMP2 3^rd

2019 12H de Sebring et Petit LeMans – DPI 2^nd

2018 FIA WEC – LMP2 3 podiums

2017 Asian Le Mans Series – GT3 1^st

2016 Trophée Andros électrique – 1^st

2015Formula 3.5 Series – 2^nd

2014FIA WEC GTE – 3 podiums

2013 Eurocup Formula Renault

2012 EurocupFormula Renault

2011 F4 FranceChampionship– 1^st