Report: Signatech Alpine to LMP1 for 2021

Photo: Signatech

Signatech Alpine looks set to enter the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, with the French squad plotting a program with an ex-Rebellion R13 Gibson LMP1 car.

AutoHebdo reports that the longtime LMP2 entrant, which has claimed class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in three of the last four years, will make a bid for overall honors alongside the new-for-2021 Le Mans Hypercar machinery.

An announcement from Alpine is expected on Monday.

The move is believed to be a precursor to a potential LMDh program that would come online in the platform’s launch year, which is now expected to be in 2023.

According to the AutoHebdo report, longtime Signatech driver Andre Negrao would be joined by Gustavo Menezes and Nathanel Berthon in the single-car entry.

Both Menezes and Berthon have existing experience with the ORECA-built Rebellion R13, which per WEC rules, will be grandfathered into the newly named top LMH class next year.

A representative for Menezes, however, told Sportscar365 that the American driver is not part of the Signatech Alpine LMP1 program.

As has been the case with the Oreca LMP2 machinery it has campaigned, the entry is expected to be re-badged as an Alpine.

Signatech Alpine would join Toyota Gazoo Racing and anticipated LMH entries from Glickenhaus and ByKolles Racing in the top class for 2021, prior to the expected arrival of Peugeot the following year.

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