The Austrian has been Mercedes team principal since 2013 and is currently exploring the possibility of buying a stake in Alpine, another F1 organization. Several high-profile investors already hold minority stakes in Otro Capital, but the proposal led by Wolf reportedly targets 24% of Alpine’s shares. Private equity group Otro values its holdings at just under £450m, according to the Telegraph. Alpine adviser Flavio Briatore has previously suggested that former Red Bull F1 chief Christian Horner is also considering making an equal bid for a stake in the team.
Otro acquired a 24% stake in Alpine in 2023. A statement from Renault, the team’s majority owner, revealed that a number of sports figures were involved as “premier investors” in Otro, including former Premier League players Juan Mata and Trent Alexander-Arnold, boxing champion Anthony Joshua and world No. 2 golfer Rory McIlroy.
In the same month that Otolo’s investment in Alpine was announced, Wolff spoke publicly about his conversation with Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group is a major partner of Mercedes F1. “Jim shares that trajectory with me. I have great respect for his values and we trust each other,” he told the Press Association at the time.
“I’ve never set out to invest in trophies, but I like the competitiveness of the Premier League. Jim and Manchester United are a love story because he was born there.”
“Our personal relationship is strong and with (Mercedes-Benz chief executive) Ola Kallenius we call ourselves the Three Amigos, because we live in a serious world. If I felt I could contribute, I would consider joining him at Manchester United.”
Ratcliffe’s minority stake in United was formalized before the end of the 2023/24 season, but the Glazer family retained majority control. The British entrepreneur has overseen the club’s football operations, appointing senior officials behind the scenes including CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
United finished eighth in the Premier League during the season Ratcliffe joined, but slipped to 15th the following year. However, after 29 games this season, they are currently in 3rd place in the standings and are firmly in charge of qualifying for the Champions League.
