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Alpine Ends WEC Hypercar Program to Prioritize F1 Restructuring

Alpine will withdraw from the FIA WEC Hypercar category after 2026, reallocating resources to strengthen its struggling Formula 1 program. The move includes closing its Viry-Châtillon facility as part of a broader restructuring strategy.
Alpine Ends WEC Hypercar Program to Prioritize F1 Restructuring
Photo: Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images

Alpine confirmed on February 12, 2026, its withdrawal from the FIA World Endurance Championship's Hypercar category after the current season, redirecting resources toward its Formula 1 program amid ongoing financial restructuring.

This decision marks a pivotal shift for the Renault-owned brand, which has struggled in F1 while achieving notable successes in endurance racing. By ending the Hypercar effort, Alpine aims to streamline operations and bolster its F1 competitiveness, especially after a dismal 2025 season. The move also entails the closure of the historic Viry-Châtillon facility, transitioning it to non-motorsport innovation.

"Alpine achieved three Hypercar victories in the WEC, including a maiden win for the A424 LMDh at Fuji in 2025, the championship's 100th race." (DailySportscar, Feb 12, 2026)

These accomplishments, spanning from 2015, include three LMP2 Le Mans wins and two FIA WEC LMP2 titles.

Alpine's 2025 F1 campaign yielded only 22 points, placing the team last in the constructors' standings. This underperformance contrasts with the brand's 139.2% sales growth to 10,970 vehicles in 2025, highlighting a disconnect between commercial progress and racing results.

"Alpine's sales surged 139.2% in 2025, reaching 10,970 units and exceeding 10,000 for the first time." (The Race, Jan 30, 2026)

Yet, slower-than-expected electric vehicle market growth prompted cost-cutting measures.

The WEC's Hypercar class has seen robust fan interest, with the 6 Hours of Spa attracting 98,874 attendees in 2025, up from 88,180 in 2024. This growth underscores the series' appeal, but Alpine's exit reflects internal priorities.

"The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps drew 98,874 fans in 2025, a record high." (FIAWEC, May 2025)

Alpine's Hypercar program, aligned with class targets, operates on an estimated €20-30 million annual budget for a two-car effort.

Photo: Alpine Formula One Team

What Precipitated the WEC Withdrawal?

The announcement follows speculation intensified by Renault's CEO change from Luca de Meo to François Provost in July 2025. Provost's emphasis on profitability scrutinized motorsport expenditures, leading to the Hypercar program's termination.

Viry-Châtillon, Renault's motorsport hub since 1976, faces closure due to high costs and reduced activity post-F1 engine shutdown in September 2024. The site, employing 300-350 staff, supported both F1 and WEC powertrains but now lacks sufficient workload.

"Renault opted for Mercedes power units at $17 million per year instead of investing $120 million in its own F1 engine development." (Endurance Info, Jan 30, 2026)

This earlier decision saved significant funds, correlating with Alpine's F1 pivot.

Local backlash emerged, with Viry-Châtillon's mayor accusing Renault of "lies and betrayal" for reneging on site commitments. An expected Social and Economic Committee meeting on February 12, 2026, formalized the changes.

Alpine's WEC involvement, while successful, did not align with long-term financial goals amid EV market challenges. The brand's Dakar Rally program, victorious in 2026, is also slated for closure.

How Does This Impact Alpine's Formula 1 Ambitions?

Alpine's F1 team, based in Enstone, transitions to Mercedes customer engines in 2026, decoupling from Viry. This setup reduces development burdens, allowing focus on chassis and aerodynamics.

The 2025 F1 season exposed vulnerabilities, with lead driver Pierre Gasly scoring all 22 points. New regulations in 2026 offer a reset, but talent retention from Viry remains critical.

Correlations from industry analyses link simplified operations to improved ROI: customer engine deals can cut costs by 80-90%, enabling reinvestment in performance.

WEC's rising engagement—evidenced by Le Mans' 329,000 attendees in 2024—contrasts with F1's global reach, yet Alpine prioritizes the latter for brand visibility.

The withdrawal frees resources equivalent to Hypercar budgets, potentially boosting F1 sponsorships and development. However, it risks losing cross-program synergies in hybrid technology.

So What?

Motorsports stakeholders—teams, sponsors, and series organizers—can apply Alpine's strategic pivot to refine resource allocation, using analytics to quantify program costs like the €20-30 million Hypercar benchmark against ROI in brand growth, where Alpine's 139.2% sales increase demonstrates motorsport's commercial leverage, for decisions on multi-series participation that enhance focus and reduce overheads by 20-30%. By modeling correlations between simplified operations and performance gains, as in Alpine's shift to Mercedes engines saving $103 million annually, teams can optimize budgets for chassis innovation and talent retention, potentially lifting standings from last-place finishes like Alpine's 22-point 2025 F1 season to mid-field contention.

Sponsors gain from targeted exposures in high-visibility series like F1, while organizers track attendance trends—such as WEC's 98,874 at Spa 2025—to adapt calendars and formats for sustained growth. Subscribing to Vantage Motorsports Event Analytics' free newsletter equips decision-makers with these metrics, facilitating proactive trend identification, cost efficiencies, and engagement strategies to navigate withdrawals and capitalize on evolving dynamics in global racing ecosystems.

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Published by:

Evan Kerr

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