The interest of Alpine and the Renault Group in the WEC is undeniable. The LMP1 project of the French firm demonstrates this, as well as the mass bath that the brand took in the past 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, attraction and interest should not be confused with priority. About, Luca de Meo as CEO of Renault has wanted to make this point clear in relation to Alpine’s presence in the World Endurance Championship. The brand wants to compete in the contest managed by ACO, but the priority is in Formula 1 and that is where the brand’s resources are allocated.
Alpine is in the study phase to decide whether to commit to the premier class of the WEC and, if they do, choose the regulation that best suits their characteristics. The options on the table are the development of an LMH prototype -frame and powertrain included- or an LMDh, with standard chassis and hybrid system. However, for any Alpine project in the WEC to see the light, beyond the current ‘sponsorship’ of Signatech, it is subject to the success that the Formula 1 project may have already. the redistribution of resources that may occur with its new regulations.
Own Luca de meo has made Alpine’s short-term interests clear: «Alpine’s priority is Formula 1 and there it is very difficult to be the best. From 2022 we may be able to position ourselves better, but today we are the fifth or sixth car on the grid and we have a project that was not entirely healthy. We are also thinking about Le Mans, of course, but that will depend a lot on the evolution of the ACO regulation. We are waiting for how things will evolve. We are not interested in a formula that makes us invest a large amount of money in certain technology.