- The Alpine Endurance Team unveiled its new car for the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship
- The Alpine A480 is a prototype built on a chassis developed by Oreca, powered by a 4.5-litre V8 engine supplied by Gibson Technology
- Competing in the championship’s top category, the A480 will be driven by Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão, and Matthieu Vaxiviere
- The race team will be managed by Philippe Sinault, Team Principal of Alpine Elf Matmut Endurance Team
Alpine has a great track record in endurance racing and is now taking on the challenge of entering the top category of the FIA WEC and the 24H of Le Mans 2021.
Like its commitment to Formula 1, this new project in endurance racing demonstrates the ambition of Alpine, a brand born from competition, for competition.
Approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile as the Alpine A480, the prototype is built on an Oreca chassis and powered by a 4.5-litre V8 supplied by Gibson Technology. It is fitted with Michelin tyres, in accordance with the regulations of the Hypercar class.
The A480 will be driven by three experienced endurance drivers, Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão, and Matthieu Vaxiviere.
The race team will be managed by Philippe Sinault, Team Principal, who has managed the team since 2014 with numerous successes in the LMP2 class.
Laurent Rossi, CEO Alpine: “Motorsport is inseparable from Alpine. Since our return to endurance racing in 2013, this adventure has brought us magnificent emotions, with fabulous victories. After eight successful years it is now time to join the top category as the brand makes a new start. The evolutions of the regulations offer us the opportunity to express our passion, to demonstrate our technical know-how, and our experience in a fair and cost-effective framework. We will give our best in every race to make Alpine’s colours shine at the highest level of motorsport. ”
Philippe Sinault, Team Principal of the Alpine Elf Matmut Endurance Team: “Alpine’s history is paved with challenges. Since 2013, we have been proving ourselves step by step, and showing that we are capable of defending the Alpine colours at the highest level. This new challenge is part of this mindset. The trust that Alpine has placed in us for this project is a source of great pride. We are approaching this programme with humility and the desire to do well at a time when the world of endurance racing is at a turning point in its history. We are determined to rise to this exhilarating and incredibly motivating challenge to once again anchor Alpine in the pantheon of French and international motorsport. ”
Alpine Elf Matmut Endurance Team underlines the support of its partners: Elf, Matmut, Microsoft, EURODATACAR, Bell & Ross, Le Coq Sportif and RCI Banque, without forgetting its precious technical partners and suppliers.
2021 CALENDAR
26-27 April: Prologue Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
1st May: Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
June 13: 8 Hours of Portimao (Portugal)
July 18: 6 Hours of Monza (Italy)
August 21-22: 24 Hours of Le Mans (France)
September 26: 6 Hours of Fuji (Japan)
November 20: 8 Hours of Bahrain (Bahrain)
