Signatech-Alpine Targeting Move to FIA WEC in 2015

Photo: ELMS

While on the brink of securing back-to-back European Le Mans Series titles, Signatech-Alpine could step up to the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2015. (En Français)

The French squad, carrying the support of the recently relaunched Alpine brand, came close to a FIA WEC deal this year but elected to instead focus its efforts on the ELMS with its Alpine A450b Nissan.

Work, however, is already underway for 2015, which could see the legendary brand enter the global stage.

“The number one goal is to run in FIA WEC but we’re still not there,” team principal Philippe Sinault told Endurance-Info. “Before that, we have a European title to defend. We should know more about the future by Estoril.”

Signatech heads into next month’s ELMS season finale with a 10-point lead in the championship, thanks to Paul-Loup Chatin, Nelson Panciatici and Oliver Webb’s runner-up finish in last weekend’s Four Hours of Paul Ricard.

“We opted for an aggressive strategy rather than [copy] our competitors,” Sinault said about the Paul Ricard race. “The choice to change tires almost every stop was good. The goal was to take points away from our main rivals, which we did.”

While all eyes will be on Estoril, Sinault is already thinking hard for next season. Could a move to LMP1 be in the cards?

“We will continue with Alpine but the question is how many cars and what platform,” he said. “It makes more sense for to stay in LMP2 knowing the benefits are good for the brand.

“But you have to see what the regulations will allow us to do as the LMP2 category is not for manufacturers.”

Signatech are no strangers to the FIA WEC, having entered a pair of Nissan-backed LMP2 entries in 2012, prior to its deal with Alpine.

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