Viry-Chatillon mayor hits out at Renault amid Alpine WEC exit speculation

With the 2026 FIA WEC season opener in Qatar fast approaching, speculation that Alpine’s Hypercar program is under threat of being shuttered is intensifying.

The French brand, which has been a regular feature in the WEC's prototype ranks since 2015, is currently under significant financial pressure. As a result, there have been reports and rumours in recent weeks that the Hypercar effort could face the axe after the forthcoming campaign as part of a change in strategy. That speculation stems from Renault's change in chief executive, from Luca de Meo to François Provost, last summer.

Adding to suggestions that the WEC program could be closed down, an extraordinary press release was published yesterday by Jean-Marie Vilain, the Mayor of Viry-Chatillon and Regional Councillor of Île-de-France.

In the statement, Vilain accused the Renault Group (which controls the Alpine brand) of “lies and betrayal” after lengthy discussions and negotiations concerning its future plans for the Viry-Châtillon site, which previously housed its F1 engine program and is currently responsible for the A424 LMDh’s development.

He also suggested that an announcement regarding Alpine’s future at Viry will be made on Thursday this week.

“A monitoring committee, established under the authority of the Prefecture of Essonne, was set up and met twice – on 8 October, 2024 and 5 March, 2025 – in the presence of the Prefect of Essonne, Alpine’s management, and myself, in order to oversee the establishment of this future center of excellence and innovation to replace the F1 engine development facility,” Vilain wrote.

“While we were seeking to reconvene this monitoring committee to take stock of the situation following the arrival at the end of July 2025 of Renault’s new chief executive, François Provost, after the departure of Luca de Meo, I was astonished to learn that Renault was reneging on its commitments regarding the Alpine site – an announcement that is due to be made at a Social and Economic Committee meeting on 12 February.

“This is nothing short of scandalous, as it disregards all the commitments that had been made and reiterated to both the town and employees during the two previous monitoring committees.”

He closes with the threat of action if Renault does not reconsider its stance: “I reserve the right to pursue all possible actions against this betrayal, together with municipal elected officials and Alpine employees, so that the Alpine site at Viry-Chatillon remains the center of excellence it has always been, continuing to contribute to the pride of our town and the prestige of our country."

RACER reached out to Alpine for comment on Vilain’s statement and the status of its FIA WEC team. It received this in response from a spokesperson: “As of today, we cannot confirm or infirm the position of the Major of Viry-Châtillon. We have ongoing reflections which we will first share with the unions.”