Following the collapse of negotiations with Mercedes regarding a stake in the Formula 1 team, Flavio Briatore has criticized the current shareholders for their pricing policy
Flavio Briatore has sharply criticized Alpine shareholder Otro Capital following the collapsed deal with Mercedes and has voiced his support for his colleague Toto Wolff. “I don’t think the people at Otro are fair,” the Italian railed. According to reports, the negotiations with Mercedes reportedly fell through because of an excessive price demand.
The investor group, which includes actor Ryan Reynolds and professional golfer Rory McIlroy, had acquired a 24 percent stake in the Formula 1 team in 2023 for $200 million. However, reports indicate that a price of $720 million was subsequently demanded for its shares—too much for Mercedes.
“The price was too high. At some point, the guys asked for a different price,” says Briatore about the failure of the negotiations. He defends Mercedes motorsports boss Toto Wolff: “Toto was very fair. I’m convinced of that,” says the Italian. “Toto was very fair throughout all the negotiations.”
Mercedes had already reached a basic agreement with the Renault Group regarding the purchase. The French conglomerate still holds a veto right until September. “Whoever buys Otro’s shares needs Renault’s blessing,” confirms Briatore.
“I think it’s very difficult for someone to spend 600 million to buy a minority stake in a company if that hasn’t been agreed upon with the majority owner. To be honest, I don’t understand this political doctrine, because right now it’s not going to work that way.”
He himself, however, is staying out of the matter: “That has nothing to do with the team,” he waves off. “We’re not under any pressure from the Renault Group regarding Otro. That’s the real issue. The Renault Group isn’t the Alpine team’s problem.”
Nevertheless, he would of course have to live with the consequences of a sale. Among the other interested parties was, most recently, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, with whom Briatore confirms he has had discussions. But he doesn’t know if that’s still the case.
“You’ll have to talk to the people at Renault, not me. I don’t know whether Christian is involved in any group that wants to buy or not,” says Briatore, who emphasizes, however: “As far as I’m concerned: Whatever solution Renault comes up with, I’ll gladly accept it.”
“To be honest, I’d be happy to work with anyone,” he says. “I’m all for it; I have absolutely no problem with it, especially not with Christian. I have an excellent relationship with Christian. Great, no problems at all. But that’s solely a matter for the Renault Group.”
