An investment firm that enlisted various sports celebrities to become part-owners of the Alpine team in Formula 1 is reportedly considering selling its stake. Otro Capital, along with a consortium, acquired nearly a quarter of the Enstone-based team back in 2023.
Among the high-profile investors were Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who are also owners of Wrexham AFC through their firm, Maximum Effort Investments. Notably, other notable figures like former world No.1 golfer Rory McIlroy, two-time heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, football players Juan Mata and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and three-time Super Bowl champions Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were part of the investment as well.
However, despite this star-studded lineup, Otro Capital has reportedly initiated talks about selling its stake in the Alpine team, as reported by Sports Business Journal. The team’s value was around £685 million at the time of the investment two years ago, reflecting the increased popularity of Formula 1 worldwide and the subsequent rise in team valuations.
Red Bull Racing purportedly rejected a substantial offer for its junior team, Racing Bulls, while another mid-field team, Haas, turned down multiple lucrative offers this year. If Otro decides to divest, they are likely to realize a significant profit from their initial investment of £165 million made in 2023, although talks about a potential sale are still in early stages.
It remains uncertain whether Reynolds, McElhenney, or RedBird Capital Partners, who are also part of the consortium, are contemplating a sale. Alpine’s current standings at the bottom of the constructors’ championship, with only 20 points scored this season, indicate their struggles on the track.
Their underperformance has been attributed in part to a strategic decision to defer car development this year and focus on the upcoming 2026 season. Additionally, with plans to use new Mercedes power units next season, Alpine aims to enhance its competitiveness as the current Renault engines have lagged behind rivals.
Alpine has not yet revealed its driver lineup for 2026, although Pierre Gasly has secured a contract extension. The future of Franco Colapinto remains uncertain, with rumors suggesting he may stay despite his lack of points this season, with a potential announcement expected before the Brazilian Grand Prix.
In other news, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in preparation for the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £192 and access to over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky is set to broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches next season, a significant increase from previous seasons.