The FIA is keeping a close eye on Alpine and Mercedes as they discuss a potential investment deal, amid growing concerns over the possible implications for sporting integrity.
Otro Capital currently holds a 24% stake in Alpine, and Mercedes’ interest in buying that share became public earlier this year. While it wouldn’t create the same situation as Red Bull’s link with Racing Bulls, questions have still been raised about what it could mean for the sport.
Zak Brown has been one of the most outspoken critics of team alliances in Formula One. He’s already made his stance clear, saying he doesn’t think a Mercedes-Alpine deal would be good for F1 and that teams should remain as separate as possible.
After reports surfaced suggesting the FIA might block any agreement between Mercedes and Alpine, president Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed the situation publicly. “They are two big teams,” he said. “But it’s not about how big you are or how strong you are.”
Alpine and Mercedes respond to FIA fears over investment deal
Ben Sulayem says the FIA are ‘looking into’ multi-team ownership, partly because it could give certain competitors too much voting power when rule changes are under discussion. He’s concerned that fans will stop tuning in if the ‘sporting spirit’ is compromised.
According to RACER, Mercedes remain Renault’s preferred choice to take over the Otro stake. The report notes that even if the deal goes through, Renault would still retain 76% ownership of the team. This comes after Renault recently decided to close its F1 engine division and source power units from Mercedes instead.
Sources connected to both teams have described it as a ‘purely financial’ move. Under the terms being discussed, Mercedes wouldn’t hold a controlling interest in Alpine.
This matches what Toto Wolff has previously stated, insisting that there are no plans for Alpine to become a ‘junior team’, a label sometimes attached to Racing Bulls. The key issue remains whether this arrangement can clear regulatory hurdles, as rules require each team to remain independent.
No final price has been agreed upon for the Otro stake yet, but estimates have placed its value at around $600m (£443m), according to Blackbook Motorsport.
Christian Horner now clear to purchase another F1 team
Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has also spoken with Otro and Renault. While they’re said to favour Mercedes, Horner’s involvement might avoid some of the regulatory obstacles.
Horner’s exit agreement with Red Bull, finalised last summer, means he is now free to take up a new position within Formula 1. Whether that influences the pace of discussions remains to be seen.
While Aston Martin have been most strongly linked to Horner so far, several other possibilities remain open. These include starting his own team or even moving into MotoGP.
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