Alpine Racing unveil its 2021 WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours car ahead of the season start as they look towards the LMP1 challenge.

Having competed in the LMP2 category for long, Alpine is now ready for the LMP1 challenge in WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours in 2021, as they revealed the A480 prototype machine, on Tuesday. The car will be driven by Nicolas Lapierre, Andre Negrao and Matthieu Vaxiviere.

The Alpine Elf Matmut Endurance Team will be managed by Philippe Sinault, as the A480 has its chassis developed by Oreca, with the prototype car powered by a 4.5-litre V8 engine supplied by Gibson Technology.

Upon the launch, Alpine CEO, Laurent Rossi stated: “Motorsport is inseparable from Alpine. Since our return to endurance racing in 2013, this adventure has brought us magnificent emotions, with fabulous victories. After eight successful years it is now time to join the top category as the brand makes a new start.

“The evolutions of the regulations offer us the opportunity to express our passion, to demonstrate our technical know-how, and our experience in a fair and cost-effective framework. We will give our best in every race to make Alpine’s colours shine at the highest level of motorsport.”

At the same time, team boss Sinault, added: “Alpine’s history is paved with challenges. Since 2013, we have been proving ourselves step by step, and showing that we are capable of defending the Alpine colours at the highest level. This new challenge is part of this mindset. The trust that Alpine has placed in us for this project is a source of great pride.

“We are approaching this programme with humility and the desire to do well at a time when the world of endurance racing is at a turning point in its history. We are determined to rise to this exhilarating and incredibly motivating challenge to once again anchor Alpine in the pantheon of French and international motorsport.”

Here’s some photos of Alpine and its launch video:

https://twitter.com/FIAWEC/status/1371839252846231568?s=20

Here’s the entry list for 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours