Here is a twist nobody quite saw coming. According to Motorsport.com Italia, the future of Alpine in the FIA World Endurance Championship might rest in the hands of the Belgian firm Dumarey Group, which has stepped forward with a proposal to acquire the legendary Viry-Châtillon race department.
After weeks of lingering question marks and rumors pointing toward Chinese suitors like BYD and Geely Group Motorsport, the Belgian engineering specialist has emerged as the main player. An official joint statement confirms that the company is ready to take the reins of the French facility, promising to protect existing jobs and keep racing programs alive.
Right now, both sides are digging through the financial details and inspecting the facility to see how fast they can seal the deal. Guido Dumarey, President and Founder of Dumarey Group, praised the site's reputation for advanced engineering, noting that combining its skilled teams with the company's entrepreneurial culture opens up real potential for growth. Meanwhile, Axel Plasse, Vice President of Alpine Tech, welcomed the move as a solid way to safeguard the facility's extensive expertise, which includes a deep history in F1.
Looking ahead, the clock is ticking. The entry deadline for the FIA WEC 2027 season falls on November 25, meaning paperwork for the Hypercar class needs to be sorted out soon. Team principal Philippe Sinault has maintained for weeks that the engineering and mechanical crew are fully prepared to keep the A424 project running in the top endurance category.
Of course, a new setup also means sorting out the driver lineup. While the team plans to lock down its current roster, adjustments will be necessary following the departure of Antonio Félix da Costa. With Ferdinand Habsburg and Charles Milesi also listed in the team's stable, the path forward is slowly coming into focus. For a machine as striking as the A424, keeping Viry-Châtillon alive is the best news endurance racing could ask for.
