FORMULA 1 F1 CALENDAR 2026 LEWIS HAMILTON MOTOGP RUMOURS

Alpine break silence as Wolff-Horner 'bidding war' looms over team

Photo: Race Pictures

15:30, 10 Mar

byHenry Eccles

Alpine have broken their silence over rumours linking Mercedes boss Toto Wolff with a minority stake in the Renault-owned F1 team, the same stake reportedly sought after by old rival Christian Horner.

On Monday, rumours swirled that Wolff was looking to rival Horner for the 24% stake owned by Otro Capital, with Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore confirming that the private equity firm were looking to sell their share.

Mercedes told GPblog that they were "being kept apprised of the latest developments" at "key strategic partner" Alpine, but only until now have the French team commented on the rumours.

Alpine respond to Wolff-Horner 'bidding war'

Photo: Race Pictures

When asked for comment by GPblog on Wolff's reported interest, Alpine said: "The team is regularly approached and contacted by multiple parties and potential investors.

"We do not comment on any specific names or individuals in question. Any discussions are not a matter for the team, they’re between the current stakeholders and parties expressing an interest.

"The primary focus for the team is the immediate task at hand which is the start of the racing season and seeing a sustained recovery of performance on track."

While any purchasing of shares at Alpine, whether it be Mercedes' Wolff or the returning Horner, will certainly be a situation to watch, it should be said Renault still own the vast majority of the Alpine F1 outfit - 76% to be exact.

Alpine, who have switched to Mercedes power units for the 2026 season, scored one point at the Australian GP, thanks to Pierre Gasly's P10 finish.

The French team will be hoping for vast improvements after a torrid 2025 campaign, finishing dead last in the Constructors' standings on just 22 points.

Much-criticised power units will be permanently revised

Elsewhere, there seems to be agreement between the FIA and all 11 F1 teams that changes are already needed to the 2026 power units after just one race in Melbourne.

A decision on what changes will be made in the short term is expected after the Chinese Grand Prix, with several different scenarios currently under consideration, GPblog understands.

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