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Renault could make return to prototypes in 2013

The ACO has called a press conference for this Friday and could answer many questions about Renault's potential involvement at Le Mans.

#9 Renault Sport Renault Alpine A442: Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Derek Bell

#9 Renault Sport Renault Alpine A442: Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Derek Bell

Philippe Hubert

Several sources including French daily newspaper Le Maine Libre are reporting that Renault could be making a return to endurance racing as early as this year.

After Renault's Alpine brand was revived last November with a new road-going GT concept, rumors began to circulate that the French manufacturer was indeed looking to do more than a simple marketing coup, but re-enter prototype/sportscar racing in some fashion - including Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. Renault won at Le Mans in 1978 with the Renault-Alpine A442.

That may come in the form, at least in the beginning, of engine provider to LMP2 teams - Le Maine Libre citing Signatech as possibly making the switch from Nissan for their ORECA LMP2 chassis. Oddly enough, with Nissan and Renault in the same automobile group, this would pit the two manufacturers against each other in the LMP2 class. However, with Peugeot's sudden departure at the beginning of last year, the Le Mans grid has been left open for another manufacturer to fly the colors of France at La Sarthe, and Renault could be taking the steps to do just that.

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) has called a press conference for this Friday where president Pierre Fillon will make an "important announcement."

Stay tuned to this story as it develops during the week.

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