Flavio Briatore has confirmed that the Mercedes Formula 1 team is negotiating to acquire a 24% stake in Alpine from Otro Capital. The announcement came during a press conference at the Chinese Grand Prix. Briatore emphasized that the deal involves Mercedes as a team, not team principal Toto Wolff personally.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine's team boss, addressed reports of a potential sale during Friday's press conference at the Chinese Grand Prix. He verified that Mercedes is among three or four potential buyers for the 24% stake currently held by Otro Capital, an investment group that includes Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenny, and Rory McIlroy. Otro Capital purchased the shares for $233 million in 2023, but Alpine's value has since more than doubled to around $3 billion.
"Every day is a new situation," Briatore said. "But what I want to say, I know it's the negotiation from Mercedes – not with Toto, with Mercedes – and we'll see." He clarified that the interest comes from the Mercedes F1 team, whose ownership is split equally between INEOS CEO Jim Ratcliffe's group, Wolff's entity, and Mercedes-Benz Group. Briatore denied any personal interest in buying the stake himself, stating, "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."
The potential deal occurs amid Alpine's shift to Mercedes power units for the 2026 season, a move Briatore demanded as a condition for his return as advisor and de facto team boss after Alpine ended its own engine program. On concerns about influence, Briatore noted, "I think so. Red Bull has been a pioneer already in the last 10 years or 15 years [having two teams in F1]. 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."
Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley expressed no worries, saying, "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 jokingly replied, "Make sure it’s hot popcorn."
Mercedes already supplies Alpine with engines and transmissions under a contract running until 2030, though budget caps limit synergies. The interest reflects F1's growing franchise-like model, with teams' values rising due to expanded U.S. interest and more races.
