F1 power play: Wolff eying Alpine stake also targeted by Horner!

The high-stakes political drama of Formula 1 may be heading for another explosive chapter after a report has emerged that Toto Wolff is exploring a bold move to buy into the Alpine F1 team – the very same stake also being pursued by former Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner.

According to The Telegraph’s Tom Cary, Wolff is leading a potential bid for the 24% share in Alpine currently held by private equity group Otro Capital. It's unclear however if the Austrian is leading his own consortium or acting on the behalf of Mercedes.

If true, the development would likely send shockwaves through the F1 paddock, not least because it would pit two of the sport’s fiercest rivals against each other in a battle that could reshape the competitive landscape.

The report is particularly intriguing given the existing partnership between Mercedes and Alpine. Mercedes AMG HPP already supplies power units and gearboxes to the Enstone-based outfit under an agreement that runs until at least 2030.

If Wolff or Mercedes' bid succeeded, it could deepen the technical ties between the two teams – and potentially ignite fresh controversy around multi-team alliances in Formula 1.

A Power Play in the F1 Political Arena

The stake being discussed is far from trivial. Otro Capital reportedly values Alpine at between £1.5 billion and £1.86 billion, which would place the value of its 24% holding at around £448 million.

That slice of the team has apparently attracted interest from multiple groups. But earlier this year, Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore confirmed Horner’s interest.

While Briatore did not name Mercedes among the interested parties at the time, the possibility of Wolff entering the race dramatically changes the political dynamics – especially given the long-running rivalry between Wolff and Horner that has often spilled beyond the racetrack.

Even without a controlling share – Renault Group would still retain its 76% ownership – a Mercedes-backed investment could strengthen Alpine’s technical integration with the German manufacturer.

But it could also provoke unease among rival teams, particularly those already critical of shared ownership models in the sport.

Official Silence, Speculation Grows

For now, all sides are playing their cards close to their chests. Approached by The Telegraph about a possible bid, a Mercedes spokesperson offered only a carefully worded response:

“Mercedes is a key strategic partner of Alpine and we are being kept apprised of the latest developments.”

Alpine itself declined to address specific investors but acknowledged the ongoing interest.

A team spokesperson said:

“We do not comment on any specific names or individuals. Any discussions are not a matter for the team, they’re between the stakeholders and parties expressing an interest. The primary focus is the immediate task at hand which is the start of the racing season and seeing a sustained recovery of performance on track.”

Meanwhile, Otro Capital also declined to comment on the reported bidding battle.

Whether the reported bid materialises or not, one thing is already clear: the off-track power struggles of Formula 1 are once again accelerating just as fast as the cars themselves.

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