Signatech-Alpine Reduces Program, Signs Webb For Single Car Entry

Photo: DPPI/ELMS

Signatech Alpine will run only one car in this year’s European Le Mans Series, it was confirmed Wednesday.

The defending LMP2 champions had two of its Alpine A450 cars entered for the five-round championship but has opted to focus efforts on a single prototype after not getting both of its cars confirmed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As expected, Nelson Panciatici and Paul-Loup Chatin will be joined by Oliver Webb, who is set to make his full-season sports car racing debut.

The 22-year-old Brit, who has enjoyed a successful career in single-seaters, was part of OAK Racing’s lineup in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which marked his first race experience in a LMP2 car.

“This is a new adventure for me,” Webb said. “To drive for Signatech-Alpine is the best way to start in this class. Alpine is a brand that is part of the heritage of the automobile and the history of Le Mans.

“We have already started working together. The team is very professional and friendly. There is a great atmosphere that certainly has proven the results already achieved.”

The revised lineup has left Pierre Ragues without a seat with the team, despite the Frenchman holding a contract for 2014.

No word has been given if the team’s second entry for Le Mans, which currently sits second on the prototype reserve list, has been withdrawn.

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