Alpine’s commitment to its factory effort in the World Endurance Championship remains steadfast, despite potential changes to its Formula 1 engine programme. Bruno Famin, the vice president of motorsport at Alpine, has assured that the Renault brand will continue to build and maintain engines for its A424 LMDh car at the Viry-Chatillon facility in France for the foreseeable future.
Renault’s Viry factory has a rich history of producing engines for grand prix racing since 1979. However, the French manufacturer is currently contemplating the possibility of discontinuing its F1 power unit programme in preparation for the new regulations set to take effect in 2026. While a final decision is not expected until September 30, employees at the Viry facility have expressed concerns about the potential shift towards Alpine becoming a Mercedes customer team. This uncertainty has led to multiple protests in recent weeks.
Regardless of the outcome of the F1 engine programme, Famin affirms that the Viry facility will remain integral to Alpine’s Hypercar team. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing the facility, its skilled workforce, and available resources to support and enhance the WEC programme moving forward. The Alpine A424 is currently powered by a modified version of Mecachrome’s 3.4-litre turbocharged V6 engine, also utilized in Formula 2, coupled with a spec hybrid system supplied jointly by Bosch, Xtrac, and Williams Advanced Engineering.
### Alpine’s Testing Plans for 2025
Alpine has conducted limited testing since its return to the Hypercar class with the A424 in 2024. Notably, it did not participate in a collective test at Austin in July prior to the Lone Star Le Mans event. Famin reveals that Alpine intends to increase testing activities in 2025 to maximize its allocated testing days.
According to Famin, testing regulations impose limitations on the number of test days allowed, with variations based on manufacturer status and the number of customer cars. While some competitors with multiple customer cars can conduct more tests, Alpine plans to strategically utilize its test days in 2025 to optimize performance and development for the A424.
### Alpine’s Commitment to Viry Facility and WEC Programme
Despite the ongoing deliberations regarding the future of the F1 engine programme at the Viry facility, Alpine remains dedicated to leveraging the expertise and resources available for the WEC programme. Famin underscores the importance of continuity and support from the skilled workforce at Viry in advancing the development of the A424 LMDh car.
Alpine’s decision to maintain operations at the Viry factory for the WEC programme aligns with its long-term goals and commitment to excellence in endurance racing. By utilizing the facility for engine production and development, Alpine aims to strengthen its position in the Hypercar class and compete at the highest level in the World Endurance Championship.
### Conclusion
In conclusion, Alpine’s decision to uphold its presence at the Viry factory for the WEC programme underscores its dedication to endurance racing and commitment to excellence. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the potential changes to the F1 engine programme, Alpine’s focus on leveraging the resources and expertise at the Viry facility for the A424 LMDh car demonstrates its strategic approach to sustaining success in the World Endurance Championship. Moving forward, Alpine’s continued investment in testing and development for the A424 signifies its determination to excel in the Hypercar class and compete at the forefront of endurance racing.
