Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is reportedly considering buying a stake in Alpine F1: such a move could indirectly offer Théo Pourchaire a final chance.
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The Enstone-based team is currently looking for new investors, as the Otro Capital fund — backed by several celebrities and athletes — wishes to sell its 24 % stake in the team.
For several months, former Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has been regularly cited as a potential major investor in Alpine from 2026. However, his ambitions to become a majority shareholder clash with the position of Renault, which still holds the majority of the team.
Getting Pourchaire out of the deadlock
This deadlock has reportedly opened the door for Wolff. If the Austrian executive decided to acquire a stake in the team, it could strengthen the ties between Alpine and Mercedes, whose engines are set to power the French team until at least 2030. Such a rapprochement could also influence Alpine’s driver choices. Pourchaire (22), the 2023 FIA Formula 2 champion, has still not secured an F1 seat despite his results.
After being a member of the Sauber academy — then competing as Alfa Romeo F1 Team — the Frenchman had to turn to other disciplines due to a lack of opportunity in 2024, first moving to IndyCar with McLaren. He is now racing in endurance with Peugeot Sport in the WEC, while holding a development driver role for Mercedes F1 in 2026.
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If Wolff managed to enter Alpine’s capital, he could push for a French driver from his environment to get a seat in the team, which would give Pourchaire another chance. The situation could also depend on Franco Colapinto’s performance in 2026. If the Argentine does not meet expectations, Alpine could be tempted to change drivers, opening the door for a new candidate.
Fierce competition for 2027
Even in this scenario, Pourchaire would face significant competition for a potential seat in 2027. Candidates include several drivers linked to Alpine, notably reserve driver Paul Aron and the latest recruit Alex Dunne, competing in Formula 2.
On the Mercedes side, other talents could also be prioritized, such as third driver Frederik Vesti — 2023 F2 runner-up behind Pourchaire — or Joshua Dürksen, considered a contender for the F2 title in 2026. Under these conditions, Wolff’s potential arrival at Alpine would guarantee nothing for Pourchaire. But it could represent his last real opportunity to join the Formula 1 grid.
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