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Alpine secure €200m backing from investors including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds
Alpine have secured a €200m cash injection from a group of investors, including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, to support the French operation’s sporting ambitions in Formula 1.
Alpine are currently fifth in the constructors’ championship – one place lower than they finished the last campaign – and have been searching for investment to help close the gap to F1’s leading teams.
The Investor Group – formed of Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments – have acquired a 24% stake in the F1 team, placing their value, say Alpine, at around €900m.
The group have worked with NFL side Dallas Cowboys, America’s National Football League (NFL), French football club Toulouse FC and Welsh football team Wrexham AFC.
Reynolds bought Wrexham in November 2020 and, along with fellow actor and co-owner Rob McElhenney, has overseen the club's rejuvenation, which peaked with earning promotion back to the English Football League after 15 years.
“Formula 1 and Alpine are strategic assets for Renault Group,” said Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo. “Over the past two years, we have re-ignited Alpine, capitalising on its iconic A110 sports coupe, boosting it by entering Formula 1, where it aims to become a championship contender. This partnership will accelerate Alpine F1 development by diversifying revenue drivers and increasing brand value.”
Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi added: “This association is an important step to enhance our performance at all levels. First, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, as international players with strong track record in the sports industry, will bring their recognised expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long term.
“Second, the incremental revenue generated will in turn be reinvested in the team, in order to further accelerate our Mountain Climber plan, aimed at catching up with top teams in terms of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.”
The investment centres around the F1 team only, with Renault’s engine division in Viry not part of the transaction and remaining entirely owned by the Renault Group.
The news comes as part of a wider announcement from Alpine that sees them set a target of achieving €8 billion in revenue in 2030 and to break even in 2026.
The Formula 1 team is only one side of the business, with the automotive arm looking to develop its own high-performance platform for its future 100% electric sports cars – which will see a seven-model range including one future roadster and the all-new A310.