Jonas Leo
Shanghai, China – Flavio Briatore, a prominent figure in the Alpine Formula 1 team, confirmed on Friday during the Chinese Grand Prix press conference that the Mercedes Formula 1 team is actively seeking to acquire a significant stake in the rival Enstone-based outfit. The revelation corroborates recent industry speculation, which Motorsport.com had clarified earlier in the week pertains to a corporate investment by Mercedes-Benz itself, rather than a personal venture by Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff.
The proposed transaction involves Mercedes acquiring a 24% stake in Alpine, the shares of which are currently held by Otro Capital. This investment group boasts a high-profile roster of celebrity backers, including Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, alongside professional golfer Rory McIlroy. Otro Capital initially purchased its 24% share in Alpine back in 2023 for a reported sum of $233 million. However, the rapidly escalating valuations within Formula 1 mean that any current transaction would command a significantly higher price. Industry analysts and market trends suggest that the Alpine outfit’s overall value has more than doubled since Otro’s initial investment, now estimated to be around $3 billion. This meteoric rise reflects a broader trend in Formula 1, where teams have become increasingly attractive assets due to enhanced global visibility, stable financial regulations like the budget cap, and a surging fan base, partly fueled by popular media such as Netflix’s "Drive to Survive" series.
Briatore, who has returned to an advisory and de facto leadership role within Alpine, articulated the dynamic nature of such high-stakes negotiations. "Every day is a new situation," he stated, emphasizing the fluidity of the discussions. He was keen to underscore that the negotiations were directly with the German automotive giant, not with an individual. "I know it’s the negotiation from Mercedes – not with Toto, with Mercedes – and we’ll see," Briatore clarified, highlighting the corporate commitment involved.
The seasoned F1 executive also revealed that Mercedes is not the sole entity expressing interest in Otro Capital’s shares. "In this moment, we have three or four potential buyers – don’t forget, we’re talking about the Otro share, nothing to do with Alpine. There are a few candidates ready to do the deal," he added, with former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also rumored to be among the interested parties. This underscores the robust investor appetite for stakes in Formula 1 teams, driven by the sport’s growing commercial appeal and perceived stability.
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When asked if he harbored any personal ambitions to acquire the shares himself, Briatore dismissed the notion. "No, no, no. I’m just looking what’s going on and just watching what’s going on. We have no communication with Otro in this moment. So if somebody buys the share, we are very happy," he responded, indicating Alpine’s readiness to welcome a new minority shareholder, provided it aligns with the team’s strategic objectives.
A crucial backdrop to this potential equity deal is Alpine’s recent decision regarding its power unit strategy. For the upcoming 2026 F1 season, Alpine has committed to switching to a Mercedes engine supply, discontinuing its own in-house power unit program. This strategic pivot was, notably, a prerequisite set by Briatore for his return to the team as an advisor. The engine supply deal, therefore, establishes a pre-existing technical relationship between Mercedes and Alpine, making an equity stake a potentially logical, albeit complex, deepening of their partnership. The move to Mercedes power units is expected to bring Alpine enhanced reliability and performance, allowing the Enstone team to reallocate resources towards chassis development, a critical factor under the new technical regulations slated for 2026.
Concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest, given that Mercedes operates its own factory team and supplies engines to multiple competitors, were raised during the press conference. Briatore addressed these directly, drawing parallels with existing models in the sport. "I think so. Red Bull has been a pioneer already in the last 10 years or 15 years [having two teams in F1]," he remarked, referring to Red Bull’s ownership of both Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri/Toro Rosso). He further elaborated on the limited influence a minority shareholder would wield. "And like I tell you, Mercedes is looking to buy Otro’s 24%. Normally in one company, 75% decide and 25% is the passenger. And this is what is the reality," Briatore explained, implying that a 24% stake would not grant Mercedes controlling influence over Alpine’s operational or voting decisions within the F1 Commission.
Jonathan Wheatley, the team principal for the incoming Audi F1 team (which will take over Sauber), expressed no apprehension regarding the proposed deal when questioned. "I’m very happy," he stated, maintaining a composed stance. Briatore, with a smile, echoed, "Great, this is fantastic." Wheatley continued to articulate his confidence in the sport’s established frameworks: "The sport has very, very clear governance. I don’t see any conflict of interest or concerns on our side at all, to be honest. Just watching it, eating the popcorn and enjoying the show." Briatore humorously concluded the exchange, "Make sure it’s hot popcorn," underscoring a generally relaxed and confident atmosphere surrounding the potential transaction among key stakeholders.
The broader economic landscape of Formula 1 has seen team valuations skyrocket in recent years. The implementation of the budget cap in 2021 has fostered financial stability and profitability for teams, making them attractive investments for private equity firms and high-net-worth individuals. Other notable investments include Dorilton Capital’s acquisition of Williams Racing and Lawrence Stroll’s significant investment in what is now the Aston Martin F1 team. This trend reflects a shift in Formula 1 from a costly marketing exercise to a lucrative business venture. For Mercedes, investing in Alpine could represent both a strategic deepening of technical ties with a customer team ahead of new regulations and a shrewd financial play in a rapidly appreciating asset class within global sports.
Alpine’s current on-track performance, which has seen them struggle towards the back of the grid in recent seasons, further contextualizes the appeal of such a deal. A strategic partnership, even a minority stake, from a powerhouse like Mercedes could bring not only capital but also invaluable technical and operational synergies. While Alpine maintains its distinct identity as a Renault Group brand, a Mercedes stake could herald a new era of collaboration, potentially influencing driver development pathways, technical exchange, and overall team structure, albeit within the confines of F1’s governance rules designed to prevent undue influence. The 2026 regulation changes, which will introduce new power unit specifications, make strategic alliances and robust technical partnerships more critical than ever, suggesting that Mercedes’ interest in Alpine extends beyond mere financial speculation, hinting at a long-term strategic vision for both entities in the evolving Formula 1 landscape.
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Author Profile
- Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.
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