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Alpine Factory Breach Triggers Criminal Probe as Espionage Theory Gains Traction

Investigators focus on potential industrial espionage given Alpine’s 2026 engine change.

Overview

  • Two intruders broke a window at Alpine’s Viry-Châtillon site late Monday, reached executive offices, forced several doors and left within minutes, according to police and witness accounts.
  • The Évry prosecutor opened a case handled by the Division of Territorial Crime, with forensic police collecting CCTV footage, fingerprints and other traces.
  • Alpine says no staff were present, nothing was taken and no significant damage was found during initial inspections.
  • Investigators are weighing industrial espionage as a leading hypothesis, a sensitive angle as Alpine prepares major technical changes and a switch to Mercedes power units in 2026.
  • Public fallout intensified after Alpine deleted a social-media post contrasting Franco Colapinto’s zero points with Pierre Gasly’s two, which drew fan backlash.