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Forty-three years after its historic win and afew weeks after its podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Alpine confirmsthe extension of its endurance programme. The brand will compete in the premierclass from 2024 in LMDh.
Since Alpine's return to endurance racing in2013 in partnership with Signatech, the victories have come one after another.First in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) with the drivers' and teams' titlesin 2013 and 2014. Then on the world stage in the FIA WEC, with two titles (2016and 2019) and three wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the very competitiveLMP2 category (2016, 2018 and 2019), plus a podium in the Hypercar categorythis year.
More than ever, Alpine wants to add new entriesto its list of achievements. From 2024 onwards, Alpine will enter the LMDh, oneof the two regulations of the Hypercar category. Alpine will field two carsdesigned around an Oreca chassis and, above all, an Alpine engine developed atViry-Châtillon. The power unit will benefit from all the expertise acquired inFormula 1.
The complementarity between endurance racingand Formula 1 is an important asset of Alpine's new endurance programme. Inaddition to the engine, the bodywork will benefit from Enstone's expertise inaerodynamics, a central element in motorsport. This engine, chassis andbodywork combination will benefit from all the technical expertise of Signatechand Alpine F1 Team to achieve a level of performance that will allow it tofight at the sharp end of the order.
Laurent Rossi: "Alpine's Endurance programme highlightsthe brand's commitment and ambition to motorsport. By competing in both Formula1 and Endurance, Alpine will be one of the rare brands competing in both ofmotorsport's pinnacles. We will get the best out of Formula 1 and Enduranceracing through technical and technological synergies to get the edge overprestigious rivals."
Entering the LMDh fits both a sporting andeconomic reasoning for Alpine. Thanks to the new regulations established by theACO, Alpine will compete on equal terms with its rivals for the overallvictory. The LMDh economic model is virtuous, as it facilitates the sale ofcars to customer teams. This scheme allows Alpine to secure its commitment toendurance racing for four years.
Philippe Sinault: "Signatech is extremely proud to havebeen chosen by Alpine for its entry into LMDh. It represents the culmination ofa joint project that began eight years ago. More than ever, we have greatambitions and we are happy to take our collaboration to another level. After a32-year career in motorsport, I am looking forward to challenging the mostprestigious constructors in the world with Alpine, a brand that conveys passionand only lives for victory."
Awaited by fans worldwide, this entry into thetop endurance category is in keeping with the brand's DNA. Alpine took part inthe 24 Hours of Le Mans eleven times between 1963 and 1978. While the"Arrowed A" brand was an outsider, it won the Index of ThermalEfficiency in 1964, 1966 and 1968, and the Index of Performance in 1968 and1969. In addition, Alpine claimed ten class victories and most importantly, theoverall win in 1978 with the Alpine A442B driven by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud andDidier Pironi.
Alpineand its partner Signatech have started thinking about the continuation of theEndurance programme until 2024. The brand wants to remain involved in the FIAWEC World Championship in order to best prepare for its arrival in LMDh in2024.
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