Alpine-Geely talks stall as A424’s 2027 WEC future fades
The expected handover of Alpine’s A424 Hypercar programme to Geely Group appears to have stalled, leaving Signatech’s future in the World Endurance Championship in doubt. With the deadline for 2027 entries approaching, the French operation may struggle to keep its cars on the grid next season.
The latest development emerged from the European Le Mans Series paddock in Portimao and was first reported by Italian-Endurance. It contrasts with recent comments from Alpine team principal Philippe Sinault, who said at Fuji that discussions were progressing well and that he had no cause for concern ahead of the entry deadline on 26 November.
Geely had appeared to be the clearest path forward
Signatech founder Sinault has been seeking a way to preserve the programme since Renault Group decided to close Alpine’s WEC operation. Earlier possibilities included Chinese manufacturers, with BYD previously discussed. Geely later appeared to be the more concrete prospect.
The group has links with Renault through production-car collaborations, particularly in Latin America. Its representatives also visited Alpine’s facilities in Viry-Chatillon and Bourges to assess the motorsport operation ahead of a possible WEC entry.
Neither Renault/Alpine nor Geely publicly confirmed negotiations. However, discussions had reportedly centred on taking over the A424 programme, giving the cars a new identity and continuing the work already done by Signatech and its partners. The apparent change in direction is a sharp reversal from the optimism Sinault had expressed. F1LivePulse previously examined Geely’s emergence as a potential Hypercar partner.
A 2027 absence now looks increasingly possible
If the latest reports are confirmed, the Oreca-chassis LMDh cars are unlikely to make the 2027 WEC grid. One option would be to step away for a season and prepare for a possible Geely arrival in 2028, but that route is not assured either.
The uncertainty also raises the prospect that Signatech could close its operation after the Monza finale on 8 November. That would leave the team with little time to secure an alternative before the 2027 entry deadline. Sinault’s Fuji remarks, and the wider Alpine situation covered in our report on its WEC strategic dilemma, now sit against a far less certain outlook.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.