The 24% stake held by Otro Capital in Alpine’s Formula 1 team is generating significant interest in the paddock. Christian Horner, the former Red Bull team boss, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff have emerged as potential bidders. Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor at Alpine, acknowledged Horner’s interest during the team’s launch event. However, The Telegraph first reported Wolff’s interest around the season opener in Melbourne.
Alpine has confirmed that multiple parties have expressed interest in the team but has chosen not to disclose specific names. When approached by Motorsport.com, a team spokesperson reiterated that discussions with potential investors are ongoing but declined to provide details. Mercedes, as Alpine’s strategic partner, has not denied Wolff’s interest in acquiring shares in the team.
The attraction of the Alpine stake extends beyond the rivalry between Horner and Wolff. Horner sees the opportunity as a way to re-enter F1 in a more senior role, while Mercedes is interested in monitoring strategic developments, considering Alpine’s status as a customer team of Mercedes High Performance Powertrains. The relationship between Mercedes and Alpine involves shared resources, including power units and gearboxes, which makes the ownership of Alpine shares a strategic decision for Mercedes.
The commercial and sporting appeal of F1 ownership, along with the potential to enhance synergy between teams, are key factors driving interest in acquiring shares in Alpine. Although Renault Group will retain a controlling stake in the F1 team regardless of the outcome, the acquisition of Otro Capital’s shares could impact the broader strategic direction of the teams involved. As the situation unfolds, other F1 teams are closely following the developments surrounding Alpine’s ownership.
