Signatech Views LMP2 as “Main Way” for Alpine in 2023

Photo: MPS Agency

Alpine Endurance Team principal Philippe Sinault views LMP2 as the “main way” for the team to go as a bridge between its LMP1 and LMDh programs next year.

The Signatech-run operation is embarking on its second season with its grandfathered Alpine A480 Gibson LMP1 car, which is not expected to be eligible for the Hypercar class in 2023.

Sinault said it’s “too early” to confirm its 2023 program but that a move back to LMP2 for a single season remains a viable and preferred option.

The team has been a mainstay in LMP2 from 2015 through the 2019-20 seasons, claiming three Le Mans class wins and WEC titles in both 2016 and 2018-19.

Despite its move to Hypercar last year, Signatech has kept a presence in LMP2 with the Richard Mille Racing Team it also operates.

“The main way that we’re considering is LMP2 for sure,” Sinault told Sportscar365. “After, it depends on so many things. 

“Especially also with the LMDh development with Alpine. We’re fully involved on this. We’ll see.”

Sinault said that he believes his team and Alpine could be at an advantage of not debuting its LMDh car next year with supply-chain delays impacting the development of cars from several other manufacturers planning to be on the grid in 2023.

The ORECA-chassied LMDh car is set to break cover sometime next year ahead of its planned first race outing in 2024.

No Changes to LMP1 Car Ahead of 2022 Season

Sinault confirmed that there are no changes to its ORECA-built LMP1 car for its second campaign in the Hypercar class. 

WEC technical regulations prohibit any form of development to grandfathered cars, leaving the Alpine as the only car in the category to not have any sort of technical updates.

“The focus during these two days [at the Prologue] will determine the base of the [BoP],” Sinault explained.

“It’s too early to say in terms of Glickenhaus and Toyota. We have to wait for the [next] two days. We have a lot of tests to do in accordance with the FIA and ACO.

“We are in the same spirit. We can play something. It depends on the BoP and we have only one car. But we’re in this category because we’re ambitious. We will be there.”

Sinault said retaining the same lineup of Nico Lapierre, Matthieu Vaxiviere and Andre Negrao has also come as a benefit to the program.

“We only have six races per year; it’s not a lot,” Sinault said. “We made something strong last year. My wish was to stay on the same dynamic with the driver lineup to have the same spirit.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John