Toto Wolff is reportedly exploring a bid to buy into Alpine and the Mercedes chief is rivalling Christian Horner’s own efforts to secure a stake in the Formula 1 team
Toto Wolff is reported to have made a shock move to purchase a stake in Alpine – going head-to-head with former rival Christian Horner’s own attempts to secure shares in the Formula 1 team.
A 24 per cent holding is available with Otro Capital, who acquired those shares in 2023 for approximately £170million, now seeking to sell for up to three times that figure less than three years later.
Horner’s involvement was revealed in January when Flavio Briatore informed journalists at their season launch in Barcelona that a group spearheaded by the ex-Red Bull boss was among “a few groups” who had made contact regarding the available shares.
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However, what he failed to mention then was that Mercedes’ F1 outfit are also considering a potential acquisition. Mercedes already maintain an established partnership with Alpine, having agreed a deal to start providing engines to them from this season after Briatore made the contentious choice to scrap Renault’s own works power unit project following his return as an executive adviser to the F1 team.
That contract extends until 2030 but according to The Telegraph it appears Wolff is keen on further cementing links between the two teams. It is entirely permissible for one F1 team to partially or completely own another – Red Bull operate sister team Racing Bulls, to which it provides engines whilst also utilising it to develop young drivers progressing through their academy in F1.
The connections that already exist would certainly give Mercedes the advantage if it comes down to Alpine owners Renault deciding who to approve as a fresh investor in their outfit. Otro Capital are the ones selling but the French manufacturer and Briatore possess the authority to block should they determine they don’t want to be working with any of the interested parties.
It represents a setback to Horner, who has been assembling investors since he was sacked by Red Bull last July. His ambition to secure a swift return to the F1 paddock this year is well-documented and, whilst the reasons behind Wolff’s interest in the Alpine stake remain unclear, it is entirely feasible that the Austrian views the opportunity to prevent his former rival a pathway back into the sport as beneficial.
Otro Capital declined to comment on the story, whilst a Mercedes team spokesperson would only tell The Telegraph: “Mercedes is a key strategic partner of Alpine and we are being kept apprised of the latest developments.”
A spokesperson for Alpine added: “The team is regularly approached and contacted by multiple parties and potential investors. We do not comment on any specific names or individuals.
“Any discussions are not a matter for the team, they’re between the stakeholders and parties expressing an interest. The primary focus is the immediate task at hand which is the start of the racing season and seeing a sustained recovery of performance on track.”