Alpine F1 Team: How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Invested $218M

If you are a fan of Formula 1 racing, you may have heard the news that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have joined a group of investors that has bought a 24% stake in the Alpine F1 team for €200 million($218 million).

But who are these actors and why did they invest in F1? And what does this mean for the future of Alpine and the sport of F1?

They made headlines last year when they completed a $2.5 million takeover of Welsh soccer team Wrexham. The club was thrust into the global spotlight because of its A-list owners and secured promotion to the fourth tier of English soccer this season.

They also reportedly tried to buy the NHL’s Ottawa Senators earlier this year, but the deal did not go through.

Now, they have set their sights on Formula 1 racing, one of the most prestigious and popular sports in the world.

Why did they invest in F1?

Reynolds and McElhenney are part of a group of investors that has agreed to pay €200 million ($218 million) for a 24% stake in the Alpine F1 team.

The deal, announced on Monday, values the team at around $900 million and will accelerate Alpine’s growth plans and sporting ambitions in F1.

Other investors include Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and actor Michael B. Jordan. The group has an expertise in the sports industry, having previously worked with the Dallas Cowboys, Fenway Sports Group, the NFL, French soccer club Toulouse and Wrexham.

The group said in a statement that they are “delighted” to join forces with Renault Group and Alpine to “support their vision to become a leading force in Formula 1”.

They added that they are “impressed by Alpine’s track record” and “excited by their future potential”.

They also said that they share Alpine’s “values of passion, innovation and excellence” and that they look forward to “working together to achieve great things on and off the track”.

The group said that they will bring their “experience and expertise” in sports, entertainment and media to help Alpine “reach new audiences” and “grow its fan base”.

They also said that they will “respect and preserve” Alpine’s “heritage” and “culture”.

What is Alpine?

Alpine is a French automotive company that specializes in sports cars. It was founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, who named it after his favorite rally roads in the Alps.

Alpine has a long history of racing success, winning several championships and titles in various categories such as rally, endurance and touring car.

In 1973, Alpine became the first French manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. In 1978, it won the World Rally Championship with its iconic A110 model.

In 2016, Renault Group revived the Alpine brand after a hiatus of more than 20 years. It launched a new sports car called the A110, which received critical acclaim for its design, performance and handling.

In 2020, Renault Group rebranded its Formula 1 team as Alpine F1 Team. It said that it wanted to showcase its French identity and heritage through Alpine’s “DNA of elegance, agility and authenticity”.

Who are Alpine’s drivers?

Alpine F1 Team has two drivers: Frenchman Esteban Ocon and Japanese rookie Yuki Tsunoda.

Esteban Ocon is a 25-year-old driver who joined Alpine in 2020. He started his F1 career in 2016 with Manor Racing. He then moved to Force India (later Racing Point) where he spent two seasons. He took a year off from racing in 2019 before returning to F1 with Alpine.

Ocon is a talented and consistent driver who has scored points in 50 out of his 77 F1 races. He achieved his first F1 podium in 2020 when he finished second at the Sakhir Grand Prix. He also won his first F1 race in 2021 when he triumphed at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Yuki Tsunoda is a 21-year-old driver who joined Alpine in 2021. He is the first Japanese driver to race in F1 since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014. He is also the youngest driver on the current F1 grid.

Tsunoda is a fast and aggressive driver who has impressed with his overtaking skills and fearless attitude. He started his racing career in Japan, where he won the F4 Japanese Championship in 2018. He then moved to Europe, where he finished third in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2019 and second in the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2020.

Tsunoda made his F1 debut with Alpine at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2021. He scored points in his first race, finishing ninth. He also became the first driver to be born in the 21st century to score points in F1.

How is Alpine performing in F1?

Alpine F1 Team is currently fifth in the constructors’ championship, behind Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren. The team has scored 95 points so far, with one race win, one podium and seven top-ten finishes.

The team was fourth in the constructors’ standings last year and has been struggling to close the gap on the top teams this season.

The team has faced some challenges with its car, which has been inconsistent and unpredictable. The team has also had some reliability issues, such as engine failures and brake problems.

However, the team has also shown some signs of improvement and potential. The team has scored points in nine out of the 12 races so far. The team has also achieved some remarkable results, such as Ocon’s win at Hungary and Tsunoda’s sixth place at Monaco.

The team hopes to continue its progress and challenge for more podiums and wins in the remaining races of the season.

What are Alpine’s plans for the future?

Alpine F1 Team has ambitious plans for the future. The team aims to become a leading force in F1 and compete for championships.

The team is confident that it can achieve its goals with the support of its new investors, who will bring more resources and expertise to the team.

The team is also looking forward to the new regulations that will come into effect in 2022. The new rules are designed to make F1 more competitive, fair and sustainable. The new rules will introduce a budget cap, a new car design, new tires and new engine rules.

The team believes that the new regulations will offer an opportunity for Alpine to close the gap on its rivals and challenge for glory.

The team is also committed to developing its drivers and nurturing young talent. The team has a strong academy program that supports promising drivers from around the world. The team’s current academy drivers include Guanyu Zhou, Christian Lundgaard, Oscar Piastri and Caio Collet.

The team hopes that one of its academy drivers will graduate to F1 and join Ocon and Tsunoda in the future.