Briatore predicts F1 teams could reach $10 billion valuations

Flavio Briatore has watched Formula 1 evolve from the gritty paddocks of the 1990s to today’s investor-fueled entertainment powerhouse, and he insists the financial boom is only accelerating. In a recent interview, the Alpine executive adviser suggested the sport’s biggest teams could eventually command valuations of $10 billion, while claiming Alpine itself is already worth far more than outside estimates suggest.

Why it matters:

Briatore’s remarks capture how dramatically F1 ownership has transformed. Teams once treated as niche racing businesses are now viewed as global media franchises, drawing interest from private equity firms, celebrities, and institutional investors. If his predictions hold, the financial race may soon outpace the on-track action, reshaping how stakeholders view team equity.

The details:

• Briatore contrasted today’s market with his Benetton era, recalling he sold his team stake when the value sat at just $80 million. Now, he says conversations with finance professionals revolve around valuations of $3.5 billion to $4 billion, with a potential path to $10 billion.
• Alpine’s worth: Briatore disputed a recent Forbes estimate placing Alpine at $2 billion to $2.45 billion, insisting the team has an existing offer valuing it at $3.2 billion. He argued this figure represents roughly 40% of parent company Renault’s total $8.3 billion valuation.
• Otro Capital’s stake: The discussion comes amid Otro Capital’s effort to sell its 24% share in Alpine, which it acquired in 2023 for €200 million. Briatore downplayed the urgency, calling the matter largely Renault’s corporate issue rather than a sporting concern.
• Minority stake risks: He expressed skepticism that any investor would spend roughly $600 million for a minority position without securing an agreement with Renault, the majority shareholder. Renault retains veto rights over any sale until September, adding complexity to the process.

What’s next:

Alpine’s ownership picture remains fluid as Renault continues negotiations. Briatore, however, made his personal position clear: when asked if team valuations had peaked, he replied with a grin that if Alpine were his, he would have already sold. Whether or not F1 squads ultimately reach the $10 billion mark, his comments underline a reality that would have seemed unimaginable decades ago. In modern Formula 1, the race for financial value is accelerating every bit as fast as the cars on track.