Roadmap still wide open for Signatech’s next Hypercar step

Alpine's Hypercar service provider Signatech is in the midst of a race to secure its future. With its manufacturer exiting the FIA World Endurance Championship at the end of the current season, the longstanding French team is plate-spinning, operating a high-level factory effort while negotiating with third parties in the background to find a solution that will allow it to continue in Hypercar beyond this year.

During the second FIA WEC meeting of the season at Spa last month, Signatech's boss Phillipe Sinault was asked about rumors of a Chinese manufacturer taking over the program, tweaking the A424 and rebadging the car. He stressed that there had been "no strong discussions" and made it clear that returning in 2027 was the priority, rather than 2028, because it would be nearly impossible to retain the drivers and staff if the team had to go on hiatus for a season.

"There are a lot of rumors, but (they're) still rumors," he told reporters. "We talk about (Chinese electric car maker) BYD and so on, but I have never met anyone from BYD. My main job is to prove to people we have a good level of performance and we can do a good job. If someone wants to talk with me directly, I would be happy to talk to them.

"Everyone wants us to survive. We are very touched, deeply, about this. But now it's time to deliver. We are in a way to contact some of them, with the support of Alpine and Viry-Châtillon, because it's a common future. We start to work hard now to contact them (manufacturers), to have something to say to you at Le Mans."

A lot of options are in play for Signatech's post-Alpine race program, but Sinault knows the clock is ticking. Laurent Cartalade/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Le Mans week has now arrived, and while Sinault has no concrete news to share regarding the future of his team and the A424 LMDh package he is wedded to, he has confirmed to RACER that he has been in talks with multiple parties in the gap between races. He also ruled out any prospect of the cars returning badged as Alpine A424s as part of a semi-works or works-blessed effort in the future.

"Nothing is defined," he continued. "To be clear, we are in the same dynamic with Alpine and Signatech to work on the future, but nothing is defined. One part of the job is to do a good job in this race. It could be a help, and after the race we will resume work on this."

BYD has been touted as a standout prospect, but RACER sources suggest that other Chinese manufacturers such as Geely and Chery are in the frame as well.

"A lot of people said many things about Chinese OEMs. We've talked with several options, but we've only spoken at the moment," Sinault added. "We will see after Le Mans. It's difficult to say (how positive I am). We are convinced we have the right package, all the tools to continue to work well and be at the right level. We must remain positive, but nothing is clear at the moment.

"We have some interest from OEMs and investors, but we have pressed pause for the moment."

With talks now on hold while Sinault and his team push to deliver a signature result for Alpine on home ground, we won't hear more until this week has passed.

"We hoped to have something to say this week," he admitted. "It's not the case. Time is running. After this summer, if nothing happens, it could be difficult. At the moment we are on our way to having something to say at the end of the summer. We are still focused on next year."

"We have several options (to work with ORECA on redesigning the car), and some of those are options that include being able to operate in 2027."

Securing a strong result this weekend, on the 10th anniversary of Signatech's first class victory at Le Mans with Alpine back in 2016, is top of the to-do list right now. And Sinault believes this is his best chance yet to turn heads with the A424.

"We couldn't wait to try the new (aero) package on this track, and during the first two tests we've noticed that we've made a big improvement in drivability," he said. "It's much easier for our drivers to handle at circuits like Imola and Spa, which was a weak point before.

"And after a few laps on Sunday (during the Le Mans Test Day) we became really confident that we've done a good job, the car is now at the level expected in terms of data and figures.

"Last year we were not at the level expected for a brand like Alpine. We have to make a good result now; a top-six finish would be a great result for us."