David Coulthard believes £1.18bn F1 team owners are preparing for a sale – Formula One has never been more lucrative. As the sport’s financial ecosystem flourishes, teams, sponsors and venues are all capitalising on its growing global appeal. The 2025 F1 calendar will feature 24 races, but many more countries are eager to secure a place on the schedule.
Meanwhile, the number of teams competing in the championship is set to increase, with Cadillac set to make its debut. The inclusion of a General Motors-backed team marks a significant shift, with F1 previously rejecting Andretti’s bid over concerns that it wouldn’t add sufficient value to the sport. However, the lure of GM proved irresistible and prompted a rethink.
As the sport expands, the valuation of existing teams has soared, making them more attractive to investors. The likes of Audi and Toyota are already making moves to enter F1, signalling the growing interest from major global brands. Amidst this, former F1 driver David Coulthard believes that one team – valued at £1.18 billion – could soon be up for sale.
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David Coulthard suggests Alpine could be preparing for sale
In the latest episode of the Formula For Success podcast, Coulthard discussed the state of Alpine with former team principal Otmar Szafnauer. He pointed to a number of decisions made by the team’s owners as possible signs that they are preparing to sell.
“The journey to Alpine, you spent a relatively short time there,” Coulthard noted during his conversation with Szafnauer. “Was that just because you quickly realised that the owners of Alpine were in turmoil, as we now know?”
Coulthard elaborated, referring to Alpine’s recent strategic shift away from engine production. “They’ve decided that they don’t want to make engines any more, so they’re closing down Viry, the site that has produced so many successful Renault engines over the years.”
From Coulthard’s perspective, the move suggests that Alpine’s owners may be positioning the team for sale. “It looks to me, these are my words, I don’t want to put words in your mouth, it looks very much like they’re just trying to package this asset to sell it on, with the high valuations that F1 has today.”
While Flavio Briatore has publicly denied that Alpine is for sale, the decision to cease engine production at Viry would certainly make such a transition easier. The team has undergone several identity changes over the years – from Renault to Lotus, back to Renault and now as Alpine – making it one of the more fluid entities in F1.
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Alpine’s future: Stability or imminent sale?
Alpine’s presence in F1 carries a lot of historical and national pride, especially in France. Any change in ownership is likely to provoke strong reactions, both within the team and among its supporters.
At present, the organisation insists that there are no immediate plans to sell, but the reality is that every team has a price. If a compelling offer were to be made, Alpine’s owners might well reconsider their stance.
Szafnauer, who was Alpine’s team manager for just over a year before his departure, gave an insight into what sets Alpine apart from other teams. One of the biggest differences, he believes, is the change in ownership philosophy in modern Formula One.
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Szafnauer on the changing face of F1 ownership
Comparing today’s F1 team owners to those of the past, Szafnauer noted a significant divergence in approach and understanding of the sport.
“If I look at it from a macro perspective, at the whole ownership structure of F1 today,” Szafnauer explained, “in the days of Eddie Jordan, Frank Williams and Ron Dennis, you had owners who understood racing deeply.
These people, he points out, often had direct experience of motorsport, whether as drivers, engineers or mechanics. “They had a deep understanding of F1,” Szafnauer continues. “Even Vijay [Mallya] raced in India himself, so he had some understanding of motor racing. He gave us enough time to make a difference.
Szafnauer emphasised that success in F1 requires patience, commitment and strategic decision-making – qualities that the traditional owners possessed in abundance. “If you have a deep understanding of motor racing, you know what it takes. You know there is no messiah, there is no magic wand. It takes sustained, long and good work to win in the end, because everyone else is competent too”.
However, he believes that the new wave of F1 team owners don’t share the same foundation. “The new owners aren’t like that,” said Szafnauer. “They have very little understanding of motor racing.”
Where does that leave Alpine?
Despite the speculation, Alpine is currently run by Oliver Oakes and retains the support of Flavio Briatore, suggesting a degree of stability. However, the team’s approach to driver contracts and future planning hints at a strong focus on financial viability.
For example, Jack Doohan’s short-term F1 contract and the emergence of Franco Colapinto as a promising talent suggest that Alpine is carefully managing its assets. This could be a standard cost management strategy, or it could signal an effort to keep the team attractive to potential buyers.
While Alpine’s owners maintain that they have no immediate intention of selling, the changing landscape of F1 suggests that nothing is set in stone. If valuations continue to rise and a tempting offer comes along, a change of ownership cannot be ruled out.
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A crossroads for Alpine
Alpine is at a crossroads. The decision to end engine production at Viry and streamline operations could be interpreted as an attempt to improve efficiency – or as preparation for a sale. Given the increasing commercial appeal of F1, it is not surprising that some owners may be tempted to cash in while valuations are soaring.
As things stand, Alpine’s future remains uncertain. Whether they continue on their current trajectory or change hands is likely to depend on the financial incentives at play. But as Coulthard has suggested, the signs of a potential sale are there – it’s just a question of whether the right buyer comes knocking.
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