LE MANS: Renault Confirms LM24 Return With Alpine

Signatech to run Alpine-badged LMP2 effort in 24 Hours of Le Mans, European Le Mans Series...

John Dagys | Posted March 08, 2013 Chicago, IL

The legendary Alpine brand will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. (Photo: ACO)

Alpine will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, through a partnership with French squad Signatech, it was announced Friday.

The legendary brand, relaunched last November by parent company Renault and Caterham, which now owns a 50 percent stake, will initially enter the LMP2 ranks, with the eye towards a potential increased involvement in the years to come.

“Alpine’s comeback in 2013 to the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours is the start of a new, long-term adventure," said Carlos Tavares, assistant general manager of Renault operations.

"The deep passion that is driving us is equalled only by the cost-effective aspect of our return, which is based on the involvement of our partners and supporters whom I would like to thank. Step by step we’ll try to write a new page together in the history of the great French sports car make – Alpine!.”

At the helm of the single-car Alpine-branded entry for Le Mans will be Pierre Ragues and Nelson Panciatici, with a third driver yet to be confirmed. The Philippe Sinault-led Signatech organization also plans to take part in the revived European Le Mans Series this year.

The 4.5-liter V8 powerplant from Renault's partner Nissan will form the basis of Alpine's initial effort, which sees the brand return to motorsports 35 years after the Apline-Renault A442B's victory at Le Mans in 1978.

Additionally, Signatech will continue to use an Oreca 03 chassis, but expected to be rebranded to Alpine.

The announcement was held Friday at Circuit de la Sarthe, with Tavares and Sinault joined by Bernard Oliver, president of the Alpine-Caterham car company, Pascal Couasnon, Michelin Motorsport director and ACO President Pierre Fillon.

“The Automobile Club de l’Ouest is delighted about Alpine’s comeback to the Le Mans 24 Hours," Fillon said. "In the past, the manufacturer racked up a marvellous set of results in the major branches of motorsport, but it’s to Le Mans and not anywhere else that Alpine is giving priority for its return to racing.

"We’re particularly flattered by this decision that follows in the historical direction of motorsport. Not just because we’re celebrating the ninetieth anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, and having a major French make at the start pleases us enormously, but above all because it proves that both our technical and sporting regulations allied to the immense popularity of our event, which give pride of place to close contact with the spectators, is in perfect harmony with today’s world and motor racing as we see it.

"That’s the reason why our race has enjoyed such amazing success with the major car manufacturers.”

John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at

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