Otmar Szafnauer considering teaming up with F2 team to rival Christian Horner’s Alpine bid

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Alpine’s minority shareholders, Otro Capital, have multiple interested parties wanting to buy their 24% stake in the team. Otmar Szafnauer has now reportedly entered the race.

The Enstone outfit are looking for further investment, as Otro Capital consider selling their shares in the team. Several key figures in F1 are interested in Alpine and want to strike a deal.

Christian Horner has long been linked with Alpine as he looks for a way back into F1. The former Red Bull boss has been in negotiations for several months, but he is now facing competition to become Alpine’s minority shareholder.

Who is the best person to run Alpine in Formula 1: Christian Horner, Toto Wolff or Flavio Briatore?

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Toto Wolff is now interested in buying Alpine and is rivalling Horner to strike a deal. Mercedes became the Enstone outfit’s power unit supplier in 2026, and the Austrian’s bid could strengthen their relationship further.

Alpine are taking Wolff and Horner’s bids seriously due to their experience and expertise in F1. However, the pair are not alone in their interest, as Alpine’s former team principal is also a candidate.

Otmar Szafnauer could team up with Van Amersfoort Racing to buy Otro Capital’s Alpine shares

It was reported last year that Szafnauer was linked with buying Alpine with a group of investors. He was sacked as team principal after the 2023 Belgian GP as part of a major management reshuffle.

Now, according to journalist Tim Hauraney, he could partner with Formula 2 team Van Amersfoort Racing to complete a deal.

He said via Nailing The Apex: “So for Horner, he had put his bid in a while ago, as we’re going back to the winter time, as we’re coming into the spring here in March.

“And so there are others as well. I’ve heard that Van Amersfoort Racing, so that would be VAR in Formula 2. I’ve heard rumours that, that’s one of the reasons why Otmar Szafnauer is there now and working with that team.

“It could be possible that they could also make a bid as well. So there’s a number of different consortiums that are going to be going after these shares if, Otro Capital is signaling that they are going to be selling their portion of Alpine.

“And I think when, if you’re for Toto Wolff and if you’ve got the backing for it, I mean, why not? Right?”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Will Alpine remain in Formula 1 amid takeover rumours?

At this stage, it is unclear who, if anyone, will complete a deal for Otro Capital’s 24% stake in Alpine. Horner, Wolff and Szafnauer are battling it out to secure a deal.

Whatever the case, the future of the team is up in the air. Following the closure of their Viry Chatillon factory, many have questioned the longevity of Alpine’s project in F1, given that they are also leaving the World Endurance Championship.

It has been reported that the Chinese company BYD could buy Alpine as they plan to enter the sport. Aston Martin are also an option, as Lawrence Stroll is said to be becoming less interested in remaining on the grid.