Signatech weighs options as Hypercar deadline looms

With the entry deadline of Nov. 23 fast approaching, Philippe Sinault is running out of time to find a way to keep his Signatech team on the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar grid in 2027 following Alpine’s withdrawal. But the team boss insists he has not given up hope, despite lengthy discussions with Chinese manufacturer Geely to rescue the A424 program having fallen through.

Sinault, whose Signatech organization serves as the service provider for Alpine Endurance Team, says the French squad remains ready to operate two cars next season, although options are becoming increasingly limited.

“It’s not an easy situation,” he told reporters Saturday in Monza ahead of his final WEC race with Alpine. “We are still ready to operate the team, with two cars for 2027 at the moment. We are in an emergency. Since the announcement of no interest by Geely, we push like hell to find other options. Not a lot exists at the moment.”

Sinault admits “time is running out” but revealed that he is now engaged in discussions with another unnamed party. He has also been developing a contingency plan, potentially involving the ELMS LMP2 class, to keep his staff together and allow Signatech to continue racing if a Hypercar rescue deal cannot be secured.

“In this type of situation, suddenly something can happen. We have not had really deep talks (with another OEM), but we have one where we started to have deep talks,” he said. “It’s difficult to say if it could be realistic or not.”

Although Alpine owns a minority stake in Signatech, Sinault made clear that the relationship is not standing in the way of the team from pursuing a new program.

“We are talking at the moment. The plan is to continue (working with Alpine) with customers in GT4, with the Alpine Cup and in rally also," he said. “Our plan (in WEC) is to continue to work with these cars and this engine if we want to be ready in 2027.

“Alpine has the IP and so on. But if we find a way to continue with this car and this engine, we will find a way to be independent and continue by ourselves.”

What is clear is that Signatech cannot continue operating the A424s independently from Alpine with their current branding and OEM styling. Asked whether that might be an option, Sinault replied: “We have to forget the blue color for this moment.

“If we are not able to reach this goal to be there in 2027 in Hypercar, we will consider to keep the team and try to be there in 2028,” he added. “We are creating a really strong foundation. It will be critical to stay there in 2027. For sure, we have option B and option C in our minds, but at this moment, to be clear, we are 100 percent focused on Hypercar.”

A new program would also require an agreement with the organization now responsible for the engine facility at Viry-Châtillon, which was purchased by the Belgian Dumarey Group. “It will be mandatory to find a partnership with the Viry-Châtillon to continue to operate the engine and hybrid side,” Sinault confirmed.

At this point, putting together a new program for 2028 may be more realistic than finding a solution for next season. However, Sinault rightly pointed out that the challenge is finding a project quickly enough to retain his employees and give them sufficient confidence to remain with the team.

“It’s my crucial subject,” he admitted when asked about retaining his team members. “Every morning I wake up with this subject in my mind. We want to stay in endurance. We have to be ready to manage this type of situation, because suddenly you have a big announcement and it stops. Like Porsche, Peugeot in the past. It’s our job to anticipate it and think about a Plan B.

“Now we are really in a hard time, but the team members and committed and dedicated, even in this hard moment together. For 2028, I have to say that for sure, a new manufacturer will arrive, a Chinese manufacturer; they are considering it very seriously to come in endurance. It’s a good platform for them to arrive in this new territory. I am confident that with me or without me, a Chinese OEM will arrive. So we have to be ready.

“2028 is more realistic, yes, but we will try (for 2027) until November 23rd," he summarized. “It (2028) would be a hard situation, because I have some talent inside my team and everybody is hunting in my area. I am quite confident that a team, a story, like we did with Alpine, works if we have a strong project. If I am not able to achieve something for 2027, I have to bring a strong project to them internally as soon as possible and say that we can do that.

“If I have to be really proud about one thing, it’s that they stay with me and they want to continue together.”