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Alpine confirm Mercedes negotiations for stake in French F1 team

Photo: Race Pictures

Breaking News

07:32, 13 Mar

Updated: 08:09, 13 Mar

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byHenry Eccles

Alpine boss Flavio Briatore has confirmed that the Renault-owned outfit are in negotiations with Mercedes for Otro Capital's stake in the French F1 team.

Otro Capital, a private equity firm, has a 24% stake in Alpine, with Renault holding the majority 74%, with rumours last week emerging that Toto Wolff was leading Mercedes' bid in the race with old rival Christian Horner for the minority share.

Briatore, however, has clarified it is Mercedes, not Wolff himself, that are in negotiations for the stake.

Mercedes in negotiations for Alpine stake, Briatore confirms

Photo: Race Pictures

At Friday's press conference, Briatore said to media, including GPblog: "Everyday is a new situation, you don't know where is the next one.

"But I know there is a negotiation from Mercedes, not with Toto, with Mercedes, and we 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. It's the share owned by the hedge fund, it's called Otro, American fund, they want to sell it at 24%, and there's a few candidates ready to do the deal.

Briatore was asked if he was tempted to buy in, to which he said: "No, no, I'm just looking. I'm just looking what's going on, and I just watch what's going on. We have no communication with Otro. If somebody buys the share, we are very happy."

Russell tops chaotic FP1 in China, as Norris and Hamilton collide

Russell's 1:32.741 was enough to put him P1 in the first and only practice session in China, with teammate Kimi Antonelli just over a tenth behind in second, and McLaren's Norris completing the top three but five tenths down.

The first and only practice session was full of action, with Hamilton and Norris seemingly colliding early on. The two were jostling for position on the final corner, with Hamilton noted for causing a collision.

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