This is what we call a nice communication pirouette. Rather than announcing in black and white the stopping of the engine program in Formula 1, Alpine decided to draw attention to a new project. That of Hypertech Alpine whose activities will begin by the end of 2024 in… Viruses-Châtillon. The French manufacturer speaks of a " center of excellence " who " will bring together cutting-edge engineering knowledge and high-performance automotive expertise, servingAlpine and Renault GROUP »
Ultimately, Hypertech Alpine will house the Renault Group's future projects without leaving motorsport aside. Among the points discussed, we note the upcoming development of a Supercar Alpine, research and development on cells and new battery chemistries, particularly with solid state battery technology, research on new electric motor technologies, the continuation of sports programs piloted at Viry-Châtillon, such as the WEC en Endurance or the Dakar but also the development of engineering services for other companies.
As for F1, Alpine has simply muddyed the waters by announcing the end of its engine without making it official by the 2026 season as had been expected for many weeks. The governing bodies of the A fléché are talking about the " establishment of an F1 monitoring unit, to control technical developments in this environment. » Each employee working on the F1 engine will thus be offered a position within Hypertech. Alpine from Viry-Châtillon.
« Such a project, due to its scale and its ambition on cutting-edge technologies, will support the brand's growth strategy and its unprecedented objectives of expanding its range of vehicles, with 7 models by 2030, " reads the press release.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
30/09/2024 at 06:44 a.m.
R&D on cells and new battery chemistries, notably with "solid state" technology which promises to be more efficient for future battery-powered cars, R&D on new electric motor technologies (including liquid hydrogen?), supercar Alpine ... and monitoring unit for F1 (with a view to 2030 regulations that could see the return of the "high revs" atmospheric block burning e-fuel or liquid hydrogen?). Engine expertise will therefore be used for other projects, knowing that there will be collateral damage linked to the abandonment of the current PowerUnit that no one has ever wanted to acquire (just like the PU 2026 ... except perhaps Andretti Global) in particular at Mécachrome.