[WEC] Alpine Sportscar Discussion

[Gingers4Justice]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/alpine...formula-e-wec/

I've been very confused about the way this news has been framed - Alpine "considering" a WEC programme, despite the fact they already have one! I know that this means they are evaluating Hypercar/LMDh, but I can't be the only one assuming this was the case with the grandfathered Rebellions? So is this news?

Regardless, we don't appear to have a dedicated thread yet!

[Napolis]

With Toyota's comments on what will happen if their grandfathered LMP 1's BOP is too good they may be rethinking...

[canaglia]

"alpine" 2021 WEC program is basically signatech running a second hand R13, budget aside renault/alpine effort is very limited. I think they are just testing the water to find competitions to promote the alpine brand, for the next future to me is more likely to see alpine in FE than WEC, since renault is already there and the only thing they need is another team name/livery change (renault edams -> nissan edams -> alpine edams) while a lmh/lmdh program would require a lot of time and resources.

[Tique]

For a cost point of view, I think that the cost of the 2021 program should be quite close to the LMP2 program as the R13 is more or less an upgraded Oreca 07. Just a shale that they are only running one car.

For the future, it doesn't look good with this FE discussion even if I think that the WEC will be a better exposure for Alpine. Lotus is a manufacturer with. a long tradition of open wheel car, not endurance racing.

[Mike E]

Lapierre and Vaxiviere join Negrao at Alpine

https://www.endurance-info.com/fr/la...alpine-en-lmh/

[Aysedasi]

Decent lineup.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Lapierre and Vaxiviere join Negrao at Alpine

https://www.endurance-info.com/fr/la...alpine-en-lmh/

In the DSC piece this week there was talk that this was a dress rehearsal by Signatech to show Renault/Alpine what a top tier prototype program could look like. But also said that they might not need too much convincing!

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/0...-two-2022.html

[Mike E]

Any news on these guys testing? I'm curious to see how BoP is applied. Maybe they will have to tow the ByKolles LMP1 around or something.

[Aysedasi]

It has gone pretty quiet, hasn't it? Still, it's not as if they need to test a car much that's been around a while..

[Mike E]

True, but the drivers and crew will surely want to get used to it and it's probably going to be carrying a lot of ballast so the set up will be different from what Rebellion were running.

[Aysedasi]

I guess so Mike....

[Mike E]

Blue Rebellion to be revealed later today...

https://twitter.com/SignatechAlpine/...478418944?s=19

[GingerPixel]

Is this the only grandfathered entry going forwards? Surely they're going to be BOP'd into oblivion to avoid the embarassment of an old car giving the fancy new machines a run for their money? I think I'm missing the point of the whole thing.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by GingerPixel

Is this the only grandfathered entry going forwards? Surely they're going to be BOP'd into oblivion to avoid the embarassment of an old car giving the fancy new machines a run for their money? I think I'm missing the point of the whole thing.

The point is more cars in the top class, and getting a manufacturer involved. But yes, several bags of cement in the passenger seat and a potato in the air intake...

[joeb]

Originally Posted by GingerPixel

Is this the only grandfathered entry going forwards? Surely they're going to be BOP'd into oblivion to avoid the embarassment of an old car giving the fancy new machines a run for their money? I think I'm missing the point of the whole thing.

Yes, Alpine were the only ones interested in putting an old car in to use for the season. I think Alpine is doing this to get experience with sportscars in case they decide to officially enter hypercar as well.