Alpine Elf Matmut announces 2021 driver line-up
Alpine Elf Malmut – the French-based team which will enter an Alpine A480 – Gibson in this year’s Hypercar category – has confirmed its driver line-up for 2021.
Set to drive the No. 36 entry in this year’s FIA WEC will be Nicolas Lapierre, André Negrão and Matthieu Vaxiviere. Frenchman Lapierre and Brazilian Negrão already have plenty of experience racing alongside each other having claimed the LMP2 title together with Signatech Alpine in the 2018/2019 WEC season.
The pairing will be completed by Frenchman Matthieu Vaxiviere, an accomplished driver who has contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans on four occasions and competed in two full seasons of the WEC with TDS Racing.
The 2021 WEC season-opener is scheduled to take place in Portimão, Portugal, from 2-4 April.
Laurent Rossi, Alpine CEO, commented: "With our arrival in Formula 1 and our involvement in the top category of the World Endurance Championship, the Alpine brand will benefit from a new exposure thanks to motorsport. I trust Philippe Sinault for the choice he has made as his experience and track record in this discipline speak for themselves. I note that two of the three drivers selected have already made Alpine's colours shine at the Le Mans 24 Hours and have given our brand a second LMP2 championship title in 2019. I am sure they will be able to create a good dynamic with Matthieu Vaxivière that will meet the expectations of Alpine enthusiasts around the world."