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Alpine boss Flavio Briatore explains why negotiations with Mercedes broke down.
Flavio Briatore expressed frustration stating that attempts by Otro Capital to sell its shareholding in the Alpine Formula 1 team are not progressing. Otro had acquired the stake for $200 million in December 2023, with potential sale price speculations ranging from $600 to $800 million as F1 team values continue to rise. The Otro stake is considered the primary route for potential buyers to enter the sport, attracting interest from parties like Mercedes and a consortium involving Christian Horner.
Mercedes had been in negotiations to acquire the stake, but discussions with Toto Wolff ended recently. Briatore emphasized that the sale was between Otro and the Renault Group, not the Alpine team. The failure of the Mercedes deal was attributed to high asking prices by Otro, with Briatore praising Wolff’s fairness in negotiations.
Briatore highlighted that any potential buyer must have Renault’s approval, mentioning ongoing negotiations involving various parties. He expressed willingness to work with Horner, citing a positive relationship spanning 20 years. Briatore remains uninvolved in the Otro sale dynamics, reiterating that the situation is beyond the Alpine team’s control.
