The Alpine Endurance Team has today unveiled the car it will use for the 2021 World Endurance Championship – The Alpine A480. The car will be built on a chassis developed by Oreca, powered by a 4.5 litre V8 Engine supplied by Gibson Technology.
Competing in the top category of WEC in LMP1, the A480 will be driven by Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão, and Matthieu Vaxiviere, with the team being managed by Philippe Sinault who will carry on in his role as team principal.
After having a very successful record in the lower categories of endurance racing, the French brand is taking it to a new level entering the top category of WEC which includes the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. Similar to Alpines commitment to Formula 1 this new project in endurance racing demonstrates the ambition of Alpine.
Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine feels that motorsport is very important for a brand like Alpine, who have had some great experiences since their return to endurance racing in 2013. After 8 years of experiencing the lower categories it is time to join the top category of endurance racing as the brand marks the beginning of a new chapter in its life.
“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.”
With the regulations changing and the new ERA of the Hypercar in WEC, it offers the opportunity for Alpine to demonstrate their technical knowledge and expertise in a fair and cost effective environment.
“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 states that throughout Alpine’s history, the brand has always had to overcome challenges. Since 2013, the French Team has been proving its ability and the trust that Alpine has placed in the team fills them with great time. Sinault has the desire to do well at a time when the world of endurance racing is at a turning point in its history with the Hypercars coming in for 2021.
“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 Confidential C 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 will be up against 4 other LMP1 cars, two being run by Toyota Gazoo Racing, and Glickenhaus, who are also new to the category.
