Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquire stake in Alpine Racing

Author: Barkha Roy

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, renowned Hollywood actors, recently acquired a significant 24% shareholding in the renowned Formula 1 team Alpine Racing. They entered into this venture alongside the investment companies Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners. The total value of this deal is estimated at approximately £171 million (€200 million), leading to an impressive valuation of £706 million for Alpine Racing.

Alpine Racing, currently fifth in this year’s F1 constructors’ championship, will benefit from this investment. Alpine’s CEO, Laurent Rossi, expressed enthusiasm about the association, noting that it would improve the team’s performance at all levels. The capital injection is expected to increase Alpine’s media profile, thereby supporting its long-term performance targets.

Alec Scheiner, who co-founded Otro Capital and is a partner in the company, will join Alpine Racing’s board of directors. Their addition brings valuable knowledge and diverse perspectives to the team’s strategic decision-making processes. It is important to note that Renault has clarified that it will retain full ownership of Alpine Racing SAS, the French entity responsible for producing the team’s power units.

The involvement of Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and the group of investors represents a significant milestone for Alpine Racing. Their collective experience and knowledge in the sports sector is set to make a significant impact on the team’s continued growth and advancement. With a shared vision and strong financial backing, Alpine Racing intends to accelerate the execution of its “Mountain Climber” plan, which sets the ambitious goal of competing for championships in 100 races, starting in 2022.

The investment is also seen as a vote of confidence in the future of Formula 1, which has struggled to attract new fans in recent years. With the backing of Reynolds, McElhenney and other investors, Alpine Racing is well positioned to compete in tournaments in the coming years.

In addition to the financial investment, Reynolds and McElhenney are also expected to bring a new level of enthusiasm and visibility to Alpine Racing. The actors are known for their irreverent humor and social media savvy, and are likely to use their platform to promote the team to a wider audience.

This strategic investment demonstrates Reynolds and McElhenney’s continued interest in the sports sector, following the successful acquisition of Wrexham Football Club in 2021. The Welsh club’s ownership resulted in their promotion back to the Football League after an absence of 15 years.