Wolff’s curiosity is intriguing given the potential ramifications of such a deal.
Mercedes-Benz already has an settlement to provide Alpine with energy items and gearboxes till no less than the tip of 2030.
Taking such a big stake in one other crew would in all probability imply additional synergies between the 2 outfits and discussions about multi-team possession.
Although Mercedes, who loved a one-two finish in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, wouldn’t personal a controlling stake in Alpine – with Renault Group retaining 76 per cent – it will considerably strengthen the partnership between the 2 groups and doubtlessly trigger unrest amongst rivals.
Red Bull’s possession of two groups has lengthy been a speaking level, with Zak Brown, the McLaren chief govt, outspoken on the topic, arguing it creates a battle of curiosity, compromises sporting equity, and provides unfair benefits in sharing technical data. Brown has known as for the FIA to introduce laws to ban such partnerships to make sure a degree enjoying area.
More to the purpose, no less than for F1 followers obsessed by the Wolff-Horner rivalry on Netflix, any deal would additionally kill off any risk of Horner making a comeback at Alpine. Wolff would definitely not need to work with Horner if Mercedes did take a stake in Alpine.
Even if a deal between Mercedes and Otro doesn’t materialise, it isn’t exhausting to think about the Austrian searching for to scupper any Horner take care of Renault Group, utilizing the Mercedes engines as leverage.
It is unclear how a lot Mercedes’s bid is value, however Telegraph Sport understands that Otro Capital – whose superstar traders embody Anthony Joshua, Rory McIlroy and Trent Alexander-Arnold – values the crew within the area of £1.5bn-£1.86bn which might make their 24 per cent stake value round £448m.
Any deal must be signed off by Renault Group, which owns 76 per cent of Alpine F1, and by the Mercedes board. Asked a couple of Mercedes bid, Otro Capital declined to remark.
A Mercedes F1 spokesperson would solely say: “Mercedes is a key strategic partner of Alpine and we are being kept apprised of the latest developments.”
Alpine, in the meantime, mentioned the crew was “regularly approached and contacted by multiple parties and potential investors” concerning the Otro shares.
A spokesperson added: “We do not comment on any specific names or individuals. Any discussions are not a matter for the team, they’re between the stakeholders and parties expressing an interest. The primary focus is the immediate task at hand which is the start of the racing season and seeing a sustained recovery of performance on track.”
Horner, sacked by Red Bull last summer after 20 years with the crew, is understood to be eyeing a return to the game. The 52-year-old admitted final month he felt he had “unfinished business” in F1 however mentioned he would solely return to a crew “as a partner, rather than a hired hand”.
