Wolff, Horner in reported Alpine stake battle

A major off-track power struggle is brewing in Formula 1, with reports that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is exploring a bid for a significant stake in Alpine—the same investment opportunity also linked to his long-time rival, former Red Bull boss Christian Horner. This potential move could deepen technical ties between Mercedes and its customer team and reshape the political landscape of the sport.

Why it matters:

This isn't just a financial investment; it's a high-stakes political maneuver that could alter team alliances and competitive dynamics. A Mercedes-linked investment in Alpine would intensify scrutiny over multi-team collaborations in F1 and reignite the fierce personal rivalry between Wolff and Horner in the boardroom, not just on the pit wall.

The details:

• The reported target is a 24% share in the Alpine F1 team, currently held by the private equity group Otro Capital.
• Otro Capital values the entire Alpine operation at between £1.5bn and £1.86bn, making the stake in question worth approximately £448 million.
• Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore previously confirmed Christian Horner's interest in the stake earlier this year.
• Mercedes is already a key technical partner to Alpine, supplying power units and gearboxes under a contract that runs until at least 2030.
• Official comments have been guarded. A Mercedes spokesperson stated the company is "being kept apprised of the latest developments," while Alpine declined to comment on specific names, focusing instead on its on-track recovery.

What's next:

The bidding process remains opaque, and it is unclear if Wolff is acting independently or on behalf of the Mercedes parent company. If a deal proceeds, it would likely face intense scrutiny from the FIA and rival teams concerned about the concentration of technical influence and shared ownership models. Regardless of the outcome, the report signals that F1's off-track power games are accelerating in tandem with the on-track competition.