Toto Wolff Bids for 24% Alpine F1 Stake

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has reportedly entered the competition to acquire a 24 percent stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team, challenging a bid from former Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner. The interest centers on shares held by Otro Capital, an American private equity firm that purchased the minority holding in 2023 and is now seeking to sell it amid growing attention from potential investors in the sport.

The development emerged around the Formula 1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, following earlier reports of Horner's involvement. Horner, who was removed as Red Bull's team principal and CEO last July, has been assembling a consortium to buy into Alpine as a pathway back to the paddock. His interest was publicly confirmed in January by Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive adviser, during the team's launch event in Barcelona. Briatore noted that several groups had approached Otro Capital but did not disclose names at the time.

Alpine, based in Enstone, England, and owned primarily by the Renault Group with a 76 percent controlling stake, has not commented on specific bidders. A team spokesperson stated, "The team is regularly approached and contacted by...