February 13th 2026

Alpine withdrawing from WEC Hypercar at season’s end

Alpine has confirmed it will withdraw from the FIA World Endurance Championship's Hypercar class after the 2026 season. The news comes amid a change in motorsport strategy from the French brand, which will see it focus solely on Formula 1 going forward.

“We have had to take hard decisions to protect the long-term ambitions of Alpine,” explained Alpine CEO Philippe Krief. “On one side, the automotive industry – and particularly the EV market – are growing slower than expected. On the other side, to succeed in the long term, we must continue our ongoing investment into the Alpine product portfolio and Alpine brand. The result is we must take decisive actions to create a brand with a sustainable future.

“As one team, everyone at Alpine must focus all our efforts on these challenges. In regard to motorsport, while we regret not being able to continue in the WEC after this season, focusing on Formula 1 offers us a unique platform from which we can grow brand awareness in line with our ambitions for product and market growth.

“A winning spirit is part of the DNA of Alpine, across all parts of the business. Therefore, I am confident we will continue to fight until the very last second of the very last race that we are engaged in through 2026.

In addition to announcing its withdrawal from top-level sports car racing, the manufacturer has confirmed that its Viry-Châtillon technical facility – now called Alpine Tech – will transition to focusing on innovation for Renault Group and the Alpine brand.

“We have been working hard in defining the new structure and organization of Alpine Tech. We have incredible talents at the Viry-Châtillon site, and we have worked carefully to ensure that the new setup will allow us to fully focus on the innovative, cutting-edge expertise of our workforce and offer services for new projects and businesses. A busy year has already started with this new focus in mind, alongside running this final WEC season,” said Alpine Tech VP Axel Plasse.

Alpine has been regularly involved in the FIA WEC since 2015. It has three victories in the current Hypercar era, two in 2022 with the A480, and a third with the A424 at the Fuji Speedway in the championship’s 100th race. Prior to that, it had significant success with its partner team, Signatech, in LMP2, capturing three class Le Mans wins and two FIA WEC class titles in 2016 and 2018/19. In the ELMS, it also took LMP2 titles in 2013 and 2014.

However, in recent weeks and months, rumors had begun to swirl that Alpine's days in the top class of sports car racing were numbered, following Renault’s CEO change last year and an increase in financial pressure.

RACER reported on the subject earlier this week when Jean-Marie Vilain, the mayor of Viry-Châtillon and regional councillor of Île-de-France, put out an explosive statement regarding the Renault Group's change in plans for the future of its operations at Viry-Châtillon, accusing it of "lies and betrayal."

Alpine joins Lamborghini and Porsche as the third high-profile manufacturer to withdraw from Hypercar in as many years. However, the WEC's top class remains well stocked as Aston Martin entered the category in 2025, Genesis is set to join the top class this season, and both McLaren and Ford have announced they will arrive in 2027.

For more information: www.racer.com

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