Alpine has confirmed it will leave the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and rally-raid racing after the 2026 season, concentrating its efforts exclusively on Formula 1. The decision follows a challenging period for the team in the Hypercar category, which it joined in 2021, initially competing with a grandfathered LMP1 car before introducing the A424 model for the 2024 season. The move emphasizes Alpine’s strategic shift amid financial and brand challenges faced by the Renault Group, its parent company.
Performance Challenges and Milestones in WEC
The A424 had a difficult start in the 2024 season, with both cars suffering engine failures during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, forcing early retirements well before the halfway point of the race. Despite these setbacks, Alpine improved throughout the season, with the No. 36 car piloted by Mick Schumacher, Nicolas Lapierre, and Matthieu Vaxivière earning a podium finish with third place at the 6 Hours of Fuji.
In 2025, Alpine’s performance continued to advance. The Schumacher-led No. 36 car achieved two third-place finishes at Imola and Spa, while the No. 35 entry managed a top-10 outcome at Le Mans. The breakthrough moment came when the No. 35 crew secured victory at Fuji—Alpine’s first WEC win since the 2021 6 Hours of Monza. Despite these successes, the team ended the season sixth in the Manufacturers’ Championship standings, trailing leaders Ferrari by 159 points.
Concerns Over Renault’s Commitment and Local Impact
Speculation about Renault Group’s withdrawal from WEC intensified over the winter, casting uncertainty on Alpine’s endurance racing future. Recent tensions emerged surrounding Renault’s engine plant in Viry-Chatillon, with the local mayor, Jean-Marie Vilain, publicly accusing Renault of dishonesty and betrayal concerning the facility’s fate. While Alpine’s exit from WEC was confirmed, the engine plant currently remains operational but lacks a motorsport program, and its long-term status is unclear.
Renault Group’s Strategic Refocus and Financial Pressures
The Renault Group cited a need to safeguard the Alpine brand as the primary reason behind its decision to end involvement in WEC and rally-raid disciplines, even amid Dacia’s success with a Dakar Rally win in 2026. Despite introducing new models such as the A390 and planning expansion into the American market, Alpine continues to struggle with profitability. Consequently, Renault has scaled back Alpine’s motorsport endeavors significantly to concentrate on rebuilding the brand’s financial footing.
Alpine’s Future Concentrated on Formula One
Although Alpine is withdrawing from endurance and rally racing, the team will maintain its presence in Formula 1. The 2025 F1 season was challenging for Alpine, with the Enstone-based squad finishing last in the Constructors’ Championship, but the focus remains on using Formula 1 as a platform to grow the brand’s visibility and support its broader business goals.
We have had to take hard decisions to protect the long-term ambitions of Alpine,
said Alpine CEO Philippe Krief.
On one side, the automotive industry – and particularly the EV market – is growing slower than expected.
On the other side, to succeed for the long-term, we must continue our ongoing investment into the Alpine product portfolio and Alpine brand. The result is we must take decisive actions to create a brand with a sustainable future.
As one team, everyone at Alpine must focus all our efforts on these challenges. In regard to motorsport, while we regret not being able to continue in the WEC after this season, focusing on Formula One offers us a unique platform from which we can grow brand awareness in line with our ambitions for product and market growth.
A winning spirit is part of the DNA of Alpine, across all parts of the business. Therefore, I am confident we will continue to fight until the very last second of the very last race that we are engaged in through 2026.
Implications of Alpine’s Motorsport Strategy Shift
Alpine’s decision to leave WEC after 2026 marks a significant change in the team’s motorsport approach, reducing its involvement to focus solely on Formula 1. This strategic move aims to streamline efforts toward brand sustainability amid a slower-than-expected automotive market and tightening financial conditions. The departure from endurance racing will likely impact its current partnerships and the racing circuits where it competes, while the future of Renault’s Viry-Chatillon engine plant remains uncertain given the absence of a racing program.
Looking ahead, Alpine’s commitment to Formula 1 may offer the best avenue for growth and market expansion, especially as the company adapts its product lineup and pushes into new regions such as the United States. The focus on F1 also aligns with Alpine CEO Philippe Krief’s call for unity and intensity within the team, reinforcing the brand’s competitive spirit despite recent setbacks.
