Renault-owned Alpine WEC Hypercar programme will shut down its operations and withdraw from the World Endurance Championship at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
The decision confirmed on Thursday stems from a strategic review of the brand’s priorities amid challenging market conditions in the automotive industry, particularly the slower-than-expected growth in the electric vehicle (EV) sector.
While Alpine expresses regret over WEC exit, the move allows the brand to channel resources into its Formula 1 efforts where it sees greater potential for long-term brand growth and visibility.
“We have had to take hard decisions to protect the long-term ambitions of Alpine,” Alpine CEO Philippe Krief said in a statement. “On one side, the automotive industry – and particularly the EV market – are growing slower than expected.
“On the other side, to succeed for 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.
“In regard to motorsport, while we regret not being able to continue in the World Endurance Championship 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.”
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Alpine’s journey in the WEC Hypercar class has been one of ambition and gradual progress since entering in 2024 with the A424 prototype.
Developed at the historic Viry-Châtillon site—now rebranded as Alpine Tech—the Alpine A424 marked the brand’s return to the top tier of endurance racing after a decade of LMP2 commitments.
In its debut year, the team secured a breakthrough podium at the Qatar 1812 km race with Mick Schumacher playing a key role in the #36 car’s third-place finish, a moment that signaled upward momentum.
The 2025 season built on this foundation, culminating in a historic victory at Fuji Speedway where the #35 A424 driven by Paul-Loup Chatin, Charles Milesi and Ferdinand Habsburg triumphed in a chaotic race featuring multiple safety cars and full-course yellows.
That Fuji win, the only WEC Hypercar class victory for Alpine to date, propelled the team to some of its strongest results including three podiums and a fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ standings behind the dominant trio of Toyota, Ferrari, and Porsche.
Despite operating on one of the smallest budgets in the class, Alpine demonstrated resilience, finishing sixth in the 2025 Manufacturers’ Championship overall.
The A424’s reliability and pace in varied conditions, from the high-speed circuits of Le Mans to the technical demands of Fuji, showcased the engineering prowess at Oreca and the Viry-Châtillon facility.
However, consistent top-tier contention proved elusive against factory juggernauts, with Balance of Performance (BoP) tweaks and operational challenges limiting further breakthroughs.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Alpine WEC Hypercar programme has bolstered its driver lineup to maximize its final hurrah.
Schumacher’s WEC exit to join IndyCar and Chatin’s switch to Genesis opens doors for fresh talent including Formula E ace António Félix da Costa on a multi-year deal for the #35 car alongside Charles Milesi and Ferdinand Habsburg.
Long-time Renault junior and current Williams F1 test driver Victor Martins joins the #36 entry with Frédéric Makowiecki and Jules Gounon forming an all-French crew.
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