Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Mercedes is among the parties interested in purchasing a 24 percent stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team.
The potential sale concerns shares currently owned by a group of private investors led by the American investment firm Otro Capital. The consortium includes several high-profile figures such as actors Ryan Reynolds and Michael B. Jordan, as well as NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Earlier reports suggested that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was personally interested in acquiring the shares. However, Briatore clarified that discussions were taking place with Mercedes as a company rather than with Wolff directly.
“Every day is a new situation. I don’t know what the latest one is, but what I can say is that I know it’s a negotiation with Mercedes. Not with Toto, with Mercedes,” Briatore said while speaking to media, including RacingNews365.
The Italian executive also stressed that the negotiations involve only the shares owned by Otro Capital and do not affect the broader ownership structure of Alpine. Currently, Renault retains a majority 76 percent stake in the team.
“Don’t forget, we’re talking about the Otro shares, nothing to do with Alpine. It’s the share owned by this hedge fund, it’s called Otro, an American fund,” Briatore explained.
“They want to sell the 24 per cent, and a few candidates are ready to do the deal.”
The stake is believed to be valued at approximately $750 million, based on Alpine’s estimated team valuation of around $3 billion. Earlier this year, Briatore also revealed that former Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner had held discussions with Otro Capital regarding a potential purchase.
Mercedes may hold a strategic advantage in the negotiations, as the German manufacturer is set to supply Alpine with its new power units under the upcoming Formula 1 engine regulations.
When asked whether he had considered purchasing the shares himself, Briatore dismissed the idea, stating that he was simply observing the process rather than participating directly in the negotiations.
“No, no, no. Just looking. I’m just looking at what’s going on and watching what’s going on,” he said.
“For us, we have no communication with Toto at this moment. So, if somebody buys the shares, we are very happy.”
The outcome of the negotiations could reshape Alpine’s ownership structure as Formula 1 approaches a new regulatory era and the commercial value of teams continues to rise.
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