This year, Alpine Elf Matmut Team will throw its hat in Hypercar, the new top class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The Alpine A480 will sport its lucky number, the 36, with which the team has won the LMP2 class a stunning three times in the last five years.

The French outfit is definitely looking to impress if its choice of running team and drivers are any indication. The car will be shared by Nicolas Lapierre (age 36, 13 participations in the 24 Hours) and André Negrão (age 28, four participations). These two have known a great deal of success with Alpine and will join forces with French driver Matthieu Vaxivière (age 26, four participations). The trio has one clear goal: to give 100% at each of the six FIA WEC races this year to figure at the top of the classification. Alpine Elf Matmut team manager Philippe Sinault: "Today we have unveiled a new set of drivers up to the challenge Alpine is undertaking in the Hypercar class. We selected drivers who complement each other in terms of experience level and whose personalities ensure a spirit of cohesion at all times. While Nicolas and André know each other well and have shown their ability to work together in support of the team, the choice of Matthieu Vaxivière was an obvious one given how much his personal character and speed are recognized in the paddock. Rest assured, our three drivers are motivated like never before to help Alpine make its mark right from the A480's first laps in the FIA WEC." 

Alpine won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978 with an A442B driven by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Didier Pironi. The French marque was also awarded the FIA World Endurance LMP2 Teams trophy in 2016 and 2019.

The #36 Alpine A480 will hit the track in competition on 30-31 March at the Portimão circuit in Portugal for the official Prologue of the FIA WEC before taking the start in the first round of Season 9 on 4 April at the same venue.