Formula 1 has resumed the debate on team ownership following Mercedes’ interest in Alpine. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated that he does not support the idea of one company controlling more than one team.
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The topic gained momentum with the possibility of purchasing a stake in Alpine, which could increase Mercedes’ presence on the grid. For the FIA, the issue involves not only rules but also sporting impact.
Ben Sulayem made his position clear when commenting on the scenario: “I believe owning two teams is not the right path, that is my personal opinion,” he said. However, he emphasized that the matter is still being analyzed by the entity to determine if it is allowed and appropriate within the regulations.
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The opportunity arose after Otro Capital put its 24% stake in Alpine up for sale, acquired in 2023. With the appreciation of Formula 1, the team is now valued at about US$ 3 billion, which could raise the value of the shares to approximately US$ 720 million. Besides Mercedes, other interested parties are also competing to buy.
The official highlighted that the FIA evaluates not only legality but also sporting integrity: “If we lose the sporting spirit, I believe support for the sport will also be lost,” he said. He added that situations like this are complex and require careful analysis, especially given precedents on the current grid, referring to the case of Red Bull Racing, which owns Racing Bulls.
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