Mercedes is in talks to acquire a minority stake in Alpine F1, but the deal would grant no operational control, signaling a strategic investment amid Alpine’s performance struggles and raising fresh questions about engine supply conflicts.
Alpine F1’s executive adviser Flavio Briatore confirmed Friday that Mercedes is among three or four potential buyers for a 24% stake in the French team, currently held by private equity firm Otro Capital. Speaking ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Briatore clarified that any deal would be with Mercedes as a corporate entity, not with team principal Toto Wolff personally, and that minority shareholders would have no influence over team operations or F1 rule votes.
The 24% stake was sold to Otro Capital in a deal that attracted attention for its inclusion of high-profile investors such as NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and actor Ryan Reynolds[1]. This celebrity-backed fund now seeks to exit, but Alpine’s recent performance complicates the sale.
Alpine’s on-track struggles have been stark. The team placed last in the 2025 constructors’ championship, and driver Pierre Gasly only secured the team’s first point with a 10th-place finish in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Briatore acknowledged the team’s weak performance, citing major problems with the car’s design as the new F1 regulations era begins.
Mercedes already supplies engines to Alpine, a relationship that could raise conflict-of-interest concerns if the German manufacturer gains any say in team decisions. However, Briatore dismissed these worries, stating that “75% decide and the 25% is a passenger,” meaning minority shareholders would have no voting power on technical or sporting matters[2].
Adding another layer of intrigue, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is also reported to be among the interested parties for the Alpine stake[3]. Horner’s potential involvement comes after his high-profile departure from Red Bull, sparking fan speculation about his next move in F1.
Why This Matters extends beyond a simple stake sale. It signals Alpine’s turbulent transition under Renault’s majority ownership, which has been rumored to reconsider its F1 commitment. A passive investment from Mercedes could provide capital without ceding control, but without operational input, it’s questionable whether a silent partner can help reverse Alpine’s competitive decline. Fans are divided: some see Mercedes‘s interest as validation of Alpine’s long-term potential, while others worry it’s a precursor to a full works partnership that could further entrench the top teams’ dominance.
Rumors also swirl about Toto Wolff‘s personal involvement—which Briatore denied—and about Christian Horner potentially bringing his strategic expertise to a revived Alpine. The celebrity investors from Otro Capital may push for a quick sale to realize returns, but finding a buyer who accepts the “passenger” role while committing to a turnaround won’t be easy.
Alpine’s downfall since its Renault rebranding has been rapid. After a strong 2021 with Fernando Alonso’s podium, the team has slumped to the back of the grid. This stake sale is part of a broader reassessment: can Alpine regain midfield competitiveness under the 2026 engine regulations, or will Renault eventually exit F1 altogether? The answer may hinge on whether a new minority investor can provide more than just capital.
As the Chinese Grand Prix begins, Alpine‘s future hangs in the balance. A Mercedes investment might bring financial stability but little immediate on-track improvement. With multiple suitors and a team in crisis, the next few months could define Alpine’s place in Formula 1 for years to come.
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