News Summary
- Geely will not take over Alpine’s Hypercar programme for the 2027 WEC season, according to reports from France and the Portimão paddock.
- The deal had appeared close to completion, with Philippe Sinault recently saying a decision could arrive at any moment.
- Signatech now faces the prospect of ending its uninterrupted WEC presence after 2026, although no official statement has yet been issued by Alpine or Geely.
Geely’s proposed deal to take over Alpine’s World Endurance Championship Hypercar programme has collapsed, leaving the future of Signatech’s endurance operation in serious doubt.
French outlet Endurance-Info reported on Monday that no programme will succeed the Alpine A424 operation in the WEC in 2027, after Geely decided not to proceed with the project.
Motorsport.com subsequently reported that talks between the Chinese automotive group and Signatech had come to an abrupt halt.
Neither Alpine nor Geely had issued a formal statement confirming the breakdown at the time of publication.
The development represents a dramatic reversal. Only two weeks ago, Alpine team principal Philippe Sinault said he expected a decision “each day now”, indicating that negotiations had progressed to an advanced stage.
GRANDE PRÊMIO reported in August that Geely had emerged as the leading candidate to acquire Alpine’s Hypercar assets for a 2027 WEC entry.
The proposal would have allowed the Chinese group to use the Oreca-based Alpine A424 platform, with styling and branding changes followed by a new homologation process. Signatech was expected to remain responsible for operating the programme.
Signatech faces uncertain future after Alpine exit
Renault Group has already decided to terminate Alpine’s factory Hypercar programme at the end of 2026. That decision left Signatech searching for another manufacturer capable of keeping its WEC operation alive.
Several Chinese companies were linked to the project, including BYD, but Geely became by far the most advanced candidate.
Representatives of the company reportedly visited Alpine’s facilities as the parties evaluated the technical and commercial structure required to convert the programme.
Geely’s existing relationship with Renault also appeared to make an agreement particularly logical.
The companies already cooperate on road-car and powertrain projects, strengthening expectations that the partnership could extend into endurance racing.
But Endurance-Info reports that a decision was made on October 8 not to continue with the proposed programme. That leaves very little time for Signatech to find an alternative before entries close for the 2027 WEC season on November 26.
Alpine A424 could disappear from WEC after Monza
If no alternative manufacturer emerges, Alpine’s final WEC appearance will come at the season finale in Monza on November 8.
The A424 programme has competed in the Hypercar category since 2024.
Alpine scored its first overall victory with the prototype at Fuji in 2025, with Charles Milesi, Ferdinand Habsburg and Paul-Loup Chatin.
The programme has also collected several podium finishes, although it has struggled to establish itself as a consistent challenger to the leading manufacturers.
The uncertainty is particularly significant for Signatech. The French team has competed continuously in the WEC since 2015, initially in LMP2 before moving into the top category with Alpine.
A failed Geely deal could therefore bring an end to more than a decade of uninterrupted world championship participation. There remains a possibility that a new project could emerge at a later stage.
Motorsport.com suggested Geely could theoretically reconsider endurance racing for 2028, allowing additional preparation time instead of attempting to enter immediately in 2027. But there is currently no confirmation of such a programme.
For next season, the situation now appears considerably more difficult: without Geely or another manufacturer stepping in quickly, Signatech and the Alpine A424 are set to disappear from the WEC grid.
The WEC continues at Barcelona from October 16-18. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete coverage at the WEC hub.
