Flavio Briatore confirms Mercedes interest in buying Alpine stake

Earlier this week, several media reports claimed that Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff was in talks with Alpine to buy the stake currently owned by Otro, a consortium led by several high-profile celebrities—Hollywood's Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, and golfer Rory McIlroy.

Otro acquired their stake in Alpine back in 2023 and reportedly paid around $233 million for it at the time.

But it now appears that Mercedes is interested in buying Otro's shares in Alpine.

Speaking to the media in Shanghai this weekend, Briatore was asked about the rumors, and he confirmed them saying: “Every day is a new situation.

“But what I want to say, I know it's the negotiation from Mercedes—not with Toto, with Mercedes—and we'll see.

“In this moment, we have three or four potential buyers—don't forget, we're talking about the Otro share, nothing to do with Alpine. There are a few candidates ready to do the deal,” he added, referring to earlier reports that Christian Horner is looking to buy into Alpine through a consortium he was putting together.

Briatore also confirmed that his team were in talks with the former Red Bull Racing boss regarding buying Otro out.

The Italian was quizzed on whether he would be looking to buy the shares; he responded: “No, no, no.

"I'm just looking what's going on and just watching what's going on. We have no communication with Otro in this moment.

"So if somebody buys the share, we are very happy," Briatore concluded.

Alpine are currently running Mercedes power units after Renault decided to end their Formula 1 involvement as of the end of the 2025 season. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)