Sinault Confirms Talks With BYD for Possible Program Takeover

Photo: Fabrizio Boldoni/DPPI

Signatech team boss Philippe Sinault has confirmed talks with BYD for a possible takeover of the Alpine A424 program, in what’s been identified as one of several “good opportunities” to keep the team, staff and car active in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The French manufacturer, which will depart Hypercar competition at years’ end, is working with Sinault’s outfit to offer a package deal to an OEM in which the Frenchman says is a “common fight.”

It would include the intellectual property of the LMDh project, including development of the ORECA-based LMDh car, the Mecachrome-built engine, operation of the program by Sinault’s team, as well as Alpine/Renault’s historic engineering factory in Viry-Chatillon, France.

Speaking with Sportscar365 on Friday in Le Mans, Sinault provided an update on the progress made in the month since the last WEC race.

“We’re continue to talk,” he said. “We have identified some good opportunities.

“With Alpine and especially with the Viry-Chatillon staff, we’ve had good talks with some contacts, but nothing deeply at the moment.

“For sure [there are] some opportunities exist. But now I say, ‘Please [pause] now for ten days (to focus on Le Mans) and after we will restart.’

Sinault clarified that he and Alpine are currently only in discussions with OEMs, and not sponsors, to keep the Hypercar program alive, due to the nature of the WEC regulations.

“As you know in Hypercar, it’s mandatory to have the support of a manufacturer,” he said. “We consider only this opportunity at the moment.”

While denying last month that he was in talks with BYD, Sinault has since confirmed that the Chinese auto giant, which has expressed interest in entering the WEC, as well as Formula 1, is now engaged in discussions.

“To be honest, I discovered it on the Internet but it’s [now] part of the list,” he said of BYD. “We are in touch with them now but’s it’s not like it was written on social media.”

It’s understood that all six of the current Alpine Hypercar drivers have been asked to not explore new drives until all options are exhausted by management to keep the program fully intact.

Jules Gounon, who is in his second full season in the world championship, the Andorra-based Frenchman has expressed his desire to remain in the top class alongside his GT3 commitments with Mercedes-AMG.

“I would love to,” he told Sportscar365. “I’ve learned a lot. It’s been three years that I’ve been driving the car.

“This year I’ve had the chance to do qualification. I think it was pretty good for me after two qualis to be close to Charles [Milesi] is a good benchmark because he’s been doing quali for three years and knows the car inside-out and he drives LMP2 for a long time.

“For me I’m feeling better and better so I just hope I can continue.

“As a Frenchman, the ultimate dream is always to win Le Mans overall. In order to do that, you need to be in a Hypercar.

“I really hope I can stay but of course I still have my contract with Mercedes-AMG. That’s still ongoing, but anyways, I will continue on the GT side.”

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