WEC Alpine Sportscar Discussion

Gingers4Justice · 17 Jan 2021, 15:02 (Ref:4029635)

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 · 17 Jan 2021, 16:39 (Ref:4029656)

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

canaglia · 17 Jan 2021, 17:50 (Ref:4029668)

"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 · 17 Jan 2021, 18:21 (Ref:4029670)

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 · 26 Jan 2021, 17:16 (Ref:4031317)

Lapierre and Vaxiviere join Negrao at Alpine

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

**Aysedasi** · 28 Jan 2021, 16:37 (Ref:4031711)

Decent lineup.

**joeb** · 28 Jan 2021, 21:50 (Ref:4031754)

Quote:

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 · 26 Feb 2021, 15:49 (Ref:4037151)

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** · 27 Feb 2021, 10:48 (Ref:4037279)

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 · 27 Feb 2021, 11:04 (Ref:4037288)

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** · 27 Feb 2021, 13:19 (Ref:4037308)

I guess so Mike....

Mike E · 16 Mar 2021, 11:32 (Ref:4040780)

Blue Rebellion to be revealed later today...

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

GingerPixel · 16 Mar 2021, 11:42 (Ref:4040785)

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 · 16 Mar 2021, 11:57 (Ref:4040788)

Quote:

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** · 16 Mar 2021, 12:01 (Ref:4040791)

Quote:

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.

GingerPixel · 16 Mar 2021, 12:08 (Ref:4040794)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

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.

I suppose I can see that argument, although how different is running the old Rebellion going to be than the LMP2 they were running before?

More cars definitley equals better in simple terms, just seems like a strange way to go about it.

Simmi · 16 Mar 2021, 12:15 (Ref:4040796)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GingerPixel

I suppose I can see that argument, although how different is running the old Rebellion going to be than the LMP2 they were running before?

More cars definitley equals better in simple terms, just seems like a strange way to go about it.

I think it's a fairly opportunistic entry from them. If the reliability isn't there on the new cars it could be a relatively cost-effective way to stand out and grab some headlines. It doesn't sit right with me having this in the same class, being branded a Hypercar.

Also, I did agree with joeb's thoughts on them using it as a bit of a toe in the water. But since they signed this off the amount of announcements that have come out seem, to me, to be pushing this into no-brainer territory. The big question is just what class do they enter? Again, I'd assume from their recent history of re-badging efforts that they'll go with LMDH. A lot of their budget lines may be switching towards F1 after all.

It just seems to be a square peg/round hole situation currently. But at least we'll find out the livery and maybe some more details this afternoon.

Simmi · 16 Mar 2021, 17:09 (Ref:4040859)

That does look lovely to be fair

S griffin · 16 Mar 2021, 17:24 (Ref:4040863)

Not a bad looking creation

canaglia · 16 Mar 2021, 17:57 (Ref:4040870)

Did alpine buy only one chassis from rebellion?

bentley speed 8 · 16 Mar 2021, 19:46 (Ref:4040891)

Black, red and white.... oh and a tinge of blue!

Jokes aside, not a bad livery, even though less black would be appreciated.

**FIRE** · 17 Mar 2021, 13:00 (Ref:4040999)

Nice livery

S griffin · 17 Mar 2021, 15:49 (Ref:4041057)

The livery really suits that car well.

**joeb** · 17 Mar 2021, 16:57 (Ref:4041072)

They have been out testing with an LMP2 car and don't quite seem to like the current gap between the classes.

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...s-fine-tuning/

**Aysedasi** · 17 Mar 2021, 17:05 (Ref:4041075)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

They have been out testing with an LMP2 car and don't quite seem to like the current gap between the classes.

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...s-fine-tuning/

They're slow then........

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