What Is 2021 Alpine Elf Europa Cup

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2021 Alpine Elf Europa Cup was a one-make sports car racing series organized by Alpine Racing, featuring the A110 Cup race car. It ran across 6 European circuits from April to October 2021, with 18 races held over 9 race weekends. The championship was won by French driver Thomas Bary.

Key Facts

The 2021 season featured 18 races across 9 race weekends
Championship ran from April 17 to October 17, 2021
Races held at 6 circuits including Paul Ricard, Zandvoort, and Spa-Francorchamps
All teams used the Alpine A110 Cup, a 350-horsepower rear-engine car
Thomas Bary won the 2021 title with consistent top-3 finishes

Overview

The 2021 Alpine Elf Europa Cup was a single-make motorsport championship developed by Alpine Racing, the performance division of Renault. Designed to promote young talent and amateur drivers, the series focused on close, competitive racing using identical machinery to ensure fairness.

Centered around the Alpine A110 Cup car, the series attracted drivers from across Europe, emphasizing driver skill over technical development. The season spanned six countries and featured support races at major events, including the FIA World Endurance Championship.

6 race circuits: The season visited Paul Ricard (France), Zandvoort (Netherlands), Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Zolder (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), and Estoril (Portugal).
18 races in total: Held over nine race weekends, with two races per event to maximize track time and competitive balance.
Alpine A110 Cup car: A 350-horsepower, rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car based on the road-going A110, modified for track use with roll cage, racing suspension, and aerodynamic bodywork.
Driver eligibility: Open to both professional and gentleman drivers, with classifications for Pro, Silver, and Am categories to ensure fair competition.
Title sponsor: Elf, the French petroleum company, extended its partnership with Alpine to promote sustainable racing fuels and youth development in motorsport.

How It Works

The Alpine Elf Europa Cup operated as a one-design series, meaning all competitors used the same car model and technical specifications to emphasize driver ability over engineering advantages. Organized by Alpine Racing, the series included qualifying sessions, sprint races, and championship scoring aligned with FIA standards.

Car Specifications: The Alpine A110 Cup produces 350 horsepower from a 1.8L turbocharged inline-4 engine and weighs 1,200 kg, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio ideal for tight circuits.
Race Format: Each weekend featured two 30-minute races with a mandatory pit stop if the race exceeded 25 minutes, promoting strategic driving.
Scoring System: Points were awarded down to 20th place, with 25 for 1st, 18 for 2nd, 15 for 3rd, and a bonus point for fastest lap.
Driver Categories: Competitors were divided into Pro, Silver, and Am classes based on FIA driver ratings, with separate standings for each group.
Entry Cost: Teams paid €120,000 per season for a full package including car, logistics, and technical support, making it accessible compared to GT3 series.
Sustainability Focus: The series used Elf Excellium 20% biofuel, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 20% compared to standard racing gasoline.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2021 Alpine Elf Europa Cup compares to similar one-make series in Europe:

h>Car Used h>Power (HP) h>Races per Season h>Entry Cost (Est.)

Series
Alpine Elf Europa Cup	Alpine A110 Cup	350	18	€120,000
Porsche Carrera Cup France	Porsche 911 GT3 Cup	510	10	€200,000
Ferrari Challenge Europe	Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo	720	12	€280,000
Lamborghini Super Trofeo	Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo	620	12	€250,000
Renault Clio Cup	Clio Rally4	215	14	€60,000

The Alpine Elf Europa Cup positioned itself as a mid-tier series—more powerful and sophisticated than entry-level cups like the Clio Cup, but more affordable than premium GT-based championships. Its focus on driver development and sustainability made it unique among European one-make series.

Why It Matters

The 2021 Alpine Elf Europa Cup played a significant role in shaping the future of junior motorsport in Europe, combining performance, accessibility, and environmental responsibility. It served as a stepping stone for drivers aiming for endurance racing or GT careers.

Driver Development: The series helped Thomas Bary and Enzo Guibbert gain recognition, with both moving to higher-tier GT competitions in 2022.
Brand Visibility: Alpine used the series to reestablish its performance identity, boosting sales of the A110 road car by 17% in 2021.
Cost Control: The standardized car and shared logistics kept costs predictable, attracting privateers without factory backing.
Sustainability Leadership: By using 20% biofuel, Alpine demonstrated a commitment to greener motorsport ahead of FIA’s 2025 environmental targets.
Event Integration: Races were held alongside WEC and national events, giving drivers exposure to international audiences and media.
European Focus: The geographically compact calendar reduced travel emissions and made participation easier for regional teams.

With strong participation and a clear technical and environmental vision, the 2021 Alpine Elf Europa Cup reinforced Alpine’s commitment to accessible, sustainable motorsport.