Briatore shrugs off Mercedes stake concerns: '25% is a passenger'

Last weekend, the Italian manager confirmed that the 24% stake currently held by Otro Capital — the consortium of investors that entered the team in 2023 — has attracted interest from several potential buyers, explaining that there is already an ongoing negotiation involving Mercedes.

According to Briatore, the discussions are taking place directly with Mercedes rather than Toto Wolff personally, while adding that at the moment there are three or four potential parties interested in acquiring the shares.

When asked whether Mercedes potentially becoming a shareholder in Alpine could influence the way the team operates or affect dynamics in areas such as the F1 Commission, Briatore was clear in his response.

Current regulations from the FIA and Formula One Management do not explicitly prevent an individual or entity from holding interests in more than one team. However, such arrangements are only permitted as long as they do not create a competitive advantage or allow the sharing of sensitive information between competitors.

Concerns can emerge if those boundaries become blurred. Access to confidential technical data, the ability to influence strategic decisions across multiple teams, or potential involvement in the political balance of the sport are all scenarios that could raise questions about fairness and governance within the championship.

Shared ownership structures are not unfamiliar in Formula 1. The relationship between Red Bull and Racing Bulls, referenced by Briatore, is one of the most prominent examples, even though the connection between the two teams has frequently attracted scrutiny within the paddock.