In the high-stakes world of Formula One, where every move on and off the track is scrutinized, a potential investment deal between Alpine and Mercedes has the paddock buzzing. The FIA is keeping a watchful eye on negotiations, as concerns mount over what this could mean for the sport's competitive balance.
At the heart of the matter is a 24% stake in Alpine currently held by Otro Capital. When news broke earlier this year that Mercedes was interested in buying that share, it raised eyebrows across the grid. While this wouldn't create the same dynamic as Red Bull's connection with Racing Bulls, questions about sporting integrity have been impossible to ignore.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, never one to shy away from voicing his opinions, has been among the most vocal critics of team alliances in Formula One. He's made it crystal clear that a Mercedes-Alpine partnership wouldn't be good for the sport, arguing that teams should maintain as much independence as possible to preserve the spirit of competition.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently addressed the situation head-on. "They are two big teams," he stated, "but it's not about how big you are or how strong you are." The FIA is actively 'looking into' multi-team ownership, partly because it could give certain competitors too much voting power when rule changes are on the table. Ben Sulayem worries that fans might stop tuning in if the 'sporting spirit' is compromised.
According to RACER, Mercedes remains Renault's preferred choice to take over the Otro stake. Importantly, even if the deal goes through, Renault would still retain a commanding 76% ownership of the team. This comes on the heels of Renault's decision to close its F1 engine division and source power units from Mercedes instead—a move that already reshaped the technical landscape.
Sources close to both teams have described the potential investment as a 'purely financial' move. Under the terms being discussed, Mercedes wouldn't hold a controlling interest in Alpine. Toto Wolff has previously insisted that there are no plans for Alpine to become a 'junior team,' a label sometimes attached to Racing Bulls. The key hurdle remains whether this arrangement can clear regulatory requirements that each team must remain independent.
No final price has been agreed upon for the Otro stake yet, but estimates suggest the deal could be worth up to £443 million. For fans and competitors alike, the outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for how F1 handles team alliances in the years to come.