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French Police Probe Alpine Viry-Châtillon Break-In as Industrial Espionage Is Weighed

Police are examining a possible espionage motive because intruders forced entry into Alpine’s executive offices and left without theft.

Overview

  • Two individuals entered Alpine’s Viry-Châtillon site around 22:00 on Monday, broke a lobby window, went straight to first-floor executive offices, forced several doors and departed within minutes without taking items.
  • The Évry public prosecutor referred the case to the Division of Territorial Crime, with forensic teams working on-site and no arrests reported so far.
  • Investigators and multiple reports describe industrial espionage as the leading hypothesis given the targeted offices and absence of material losses.
  • Team sources played down the incident, saying no employees were present and nothing was missing, as police analyze security footage and other evidence.
  • The break-in comes during a difficult 2025 for Alpine—last in the constructors’ standings with 22 points from Pierre Gasly—while the team manages PR backlash over a deleted points graphic and prioritizes a 2026 reset with Mercedes power units.