Toto Wolff becoming a member of Christian Horner in race for Alpine? Why the stake is so engaging

March 11, 2026

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The 24% stake that Otro Capital holds in Alpine’s Formula 1 group stays extremely wanted within the paddock. It had already emerged that former Red Bull group boss Christian Horner was , one thing Alpine government advisor Flavio Briatore definitely didn’t attempt to disguise both. During the group’s launch in January, he publicly confirmed Horner’s interest.

Around the season opener in Melbourne, nevertheless, one other bidder has emerged. As first reported by The Telegraph, Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff seems to have entered the race. Briatore had beforehand emphasised there have been a number of events apart from the consortium linked to Horner, however didn’t point out any names – and subsequently didn’t explicitly consult with Mercedes.

When contacted by Motorsport.com, Alpine nonetheless didn’t wish to touch upon particular names, however as soon as extra confirmed that a number of events have an interest and that the method remains to be ongoing.

“The team is regularly approached and contacted by multiple parties and potential investors,” a group spokesperson mentioned.

“We do not comment on any specific names or individuals in question. Any discussions are not a matter for the team, they’re between the current stakeholders and parties expressing an interest. The primary focus for the team is the immediate task at hand which is the start of the racing season and seeing a sustained recovery of performance on track.”

Mercedes has not denied Wolff’s curiosity within the Alpine shares and as a substitute confirmed that it at all times retains an eye fixed open for strategic alternatives: “Mercedes is a key strategic partner of Alpine and we are being kept apprised of the latest developments.”

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Gabriel Bouys / AFP / Getty Images

Why the Alpine stake is so engaging for each

Although the story has rapidly been linked within the public eye to a different chapter within the rivalry between Horner and Wolff, in actuality it goes past that – and is principally about strategic pursuits.

For Horner, the Otro stake may provide an acceptable option to return to F1. The Briton has already received every thing as group principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing and has hinted a number of occasions that he would solely think about returning to the head of motorsport in a “more senior role” – with buying shares being a part of that ambition.

From Mercedes’ perspective, the curiosity additionally goes far past merely Horner versus Wolff. To start with, Alpine is a buyer group of Mercedes High Performance Powertrains this 12 months, with the deal working till the tip of 2030, making the connection nearer than earlier than. After dismantling its personal F1 energy unit mission in Viry, the French group now makes use of each energy items and gearboxes from Mercedes.

What occurs with the shares of that buyer group is subsequently an fascinating improvement for Mercedes – because it straight issues who it is going to be working with. Strategic choices like these transcend the F1 services in Brackley and Brixworth alone, and relate to the broader strategic route of the Mercedes group as an entire.

Besides the business attraction of F1 and subsequently of any accessible share bundle – with the impact of the brand new laws nonetheless a key query mark – there may be additionally a sporting factor to the story.

Last 12 months, McLaren CEO Zak Brown voiced issues about sure possession buildings in F1. Although his feedback had been particularly about Red Bull and its possession of sister group Racing Bulls, buying shares in Alpine would additionally contain a type of partial possession. It may strengthen the synergy between each events even additional, which is why different F1 groups are additionally monitoring the developments carefully.

A vital distinction, nevertheless, is that the Renault Group – no matter who finally acquires Otro Capital’s shares – would nonetheless retain a cushty controlling stake within the F1 group with 76% of the shares.