Mercedes are among the parties interested in buying a minority stake in Alpine’s Formula 1 team, Flavio Briatore has confirmed.
The Silver Arrows have emerged as potential buyers of the 24 per cent shareholding in the Enstone team currently held by Otro Capital, a US-based investment firm whose backers include sporting stars Rory McIlroy, Anthony Joshua and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Renault Group own a majority 76 per cent stake in the team.
With Otro evaluating a possible sale of its stake, which it acquired in June 2023, Alpine in January confirmed that an investment group including former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner were among the interested parties.
And following a report in the Daily Telegraph this week stating that Mercedes – Alpine’s engine suppliers from this season – had also expressed interest, Alpine executive advisor Briatore clarified the situation at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday.
“Every day is a new situation. I don’t know what is the latest one, but what I say is that I know it’s a negotiation with Mercedes, not with Toto [Wolff, personally], with Mercedes, and we see,” said Briatore.
“In this moment we have three or four potential buyers. 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, American fund. They want to sell the 24 per cent and a few candidates are ready to do the deal.”
In a statement issued earlier this week, a Mercedes spokesperson said: “Mercedes is a key strategic partner of Alpine and we are being kept apprised of the latest developments.”
What would impact of Mercedes having stakes in two teams be?
The ownership of Mercedes’ own F1 team is split between several parties.
Mercedes-Benz and Ineos each hold an equal one-third shareholding in the outfit. Wolff, the team principal and chief executive, also held a one-third share but in November sold a stake in his ownership entity equating to five per cent in the team to American billionaire George Kurtz, the founder of cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.
Red Bull own two of F1’s 11 teams – Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls – outright.
On how any buy-in from Mercedes into their team would affect how Alpine is run, Briatore said: “Red Bull already is a pioneer in this in the last 10 years or 15 years. Like I tell you, Mercedes, one group is looking to buy Otro’s 24 per cent. Normally one company, 75 per cent decide and the 25 per cent is a passenger, and this is the reality.”
Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley said of the prospect of Mercedes holding stakes in two teams: “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, I’m just watching it, eating the popcorn and enjoying the show!”
Sky Sports F1’s Chinese GP schedule
Saturday March 14
2.25am: Chinese GP Sprint build-up*
3am: CHINESE GP SPRINT*
4.30am: Ted’s Sprint Notebook*
5.30am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6.30am: Chinese GP Qualifying build-up*
7am: CHINESE GP QUALIFYING*
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday March 15
2.35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
9am: Chinese GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season at the Chinese Grand Prix from this Friday, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
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