Flavio Briatore confirms talks with Mercedes regarding sale of Otro Capital’s shares in Alpine F1 Team, but clarified it is not with Toto Wolff directly.
The American hedge fund company Otro Capital is looking to sell its 24% shares in Alpine F1 Team. The discussions of the same have been on since last year, with various parties involved. Among several names, Christian Horner emerged as one of the key players.
The former Red Bull F1 team principal is looking to return to the paddock, but this time not just as a team boss, but as a partner. It is believed that the Brit is heading a group of investors to buy the shares up for sale by Otro Capital. He looked to be in prime seat until a new name emerged.
Briatore confirms Mercedes interest in Alpine shares
One of his fierce rivals, Mercedes’ Wolff emerged as the new interested party. Reports started to float post F1 Australian GP about interest from the Austrian. It made sense considering the German manufacturer is already a power unit and gearbox partner of the French outfit.
The news of interest from Mercedes was confirmed by Alpine executive Briatore in the ongoing F1 Chinese GP. He clarified that the talks is between Otro Capital and Mercedes – not Wolff. Additionally, he noted that there are three or four potential buyers.
“Every day is a new situation,” said Briatore. “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, with Mercedes, and we see. 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,” summed up Briatore.
Briatore not interested on his own to buy
He quickly put down his own intentions to buy the shares, though. “No, no, no, no,” he said.” “Just looking. I’m just looking what’s going on and just watching what’s going on. For us, we have no communication with Toto in this moment. So, if somebody buys the shares, we are very happy.”
Briatore also ruled out interest from anyone in China after recent reports emerged that BYD is eyeing a run in F1, either as a new venture or being part of an existing team. The interest from Mercedes on Alpine is being played as an extra hand for the German manufacturer in F1 Commission meets.
Mercedes will only be ‘passenger’ if they buy
With Red Bull running two teams per se, outside the customer status, it is helpful for a big manufacturer to have another supporting team. But Briatore is not thinking in the same way. He reckons that in usual terms, a smaller partner is more like a ‘passenger’.
“Red Bull already is a pioneer in this in the last 10 years or 15 years, whatever,” continued Briatore. “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.
Wheatley happy with governace
“I don’t know if Jonathan [Wheatley, Audi F1 team principal] is happy or not. Tell your opinion.” To this Wheatley smiled and said, “I am very happy. Look, 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.” And Briatore quipped, “Great. This is fantastic. Yeah, make sure they have popcorn.” For now, Alpine is not in the best of shapes to start the 2026 F1 season. It has made a step from last year, but it is not enough.
Fresh start as Alpine-Mercedes
With the fresh start for Alpine, more was expected in Australia. But Pierre Gasly only managed one point in a low start to F1 2026 campaign. Even though it is now a customer team of Mercedes, the Italian feels things are in place for the French outfit, now it is a matter of time to secure the results.
“This is a very hard question, I don’t know,” said Briatore. “We try doing our best and to improve year by year. But now we have everything to be competitive.
Time needed for results
“We are very happy with the engine we have. We are quite happy about all the team. Sure, we’ve done a lot of changes in the team and we need preparing the base, la pierre triangulaire, to build up the team. It takes a few years, like everybody.
“We want to win and we’ll see. We’re just working hard and see what happens. But we are very committed, Renault is committed and the team is committed. So we see. We try our best like everybody else,” summed up Briatore.
