Why Juan Mata And Others Have Invested In Formula 1 Team Alpine

Formula 1 team Alpine is sixth on this year’s constructors’ leaderboard, way behind already-crowned winner Red Bull and its rivals nearer the top. All the while, it’s not content on being just another competitor over the coming championships.

Its latest turn has come off the track. Alpine—owned by the Renault Group—has welcomed sportspeople to a consortium comprising Otro Capital, Red Bird Capital Partners, and Maximum Efforts Investment, which acquired nearly a quarter of the racing brand—into which it has invested €200 million ($211 million)—back in June.

These figures are NFL duo Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, golfer Rory McIlroy, and soccer players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Juan Mata. Together, with previously enlisted actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and Michael B Jordan, they become part of a 24% stake in the company.

So, what has driven someone like World Cup winner Mata—and those accompanying him—to join the team? Like many strong partnerships, there are reasons on both sides.

Mata Thinks Outside The Box

At face value, Mata’s rationale (Spanish) for tagging along contained the standard, PR-orientated jargon. “Formula 1 is growing and constantly innovating, each time coming into contact with more people. And I think it’s a good opportunity being able to enter an ecosystem that creates such emotion with a historic team like Alpine,” the former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder wrote, as per El País, before adding to those sentiments on LinkedIn.

On closer examination, the decision also reflects the Burgos native’s diverse interests. Even at 31, he would insist his priority is soccer, but his tastes range from poetry to performance art. In the second instance, he partnered with creators outside his field as recently as June.

“I have always been inspired by and interested in creative people,” he told The Guardian for an article on that project. “Most of my energies are invested in my professional career. But when I have time to myself, I like to disconnect from football (soccer). Curiosity is important to me, so it is not that surprising I sometimes end up in art galleries,” he added.

Mata, aged 35, may also have an eye on life after playing. Following in Spanish legend Andrés Iniesta’s footsteps at Japanese team Vissel Kobe, he’s gradually winding down his career. A calculated professional who shines brightest in central areas on the field, he’s applying his thinking to the motorsport world.

The Alpine Appeal

There has been a snowball effect, with Alpine drafting in more famous faces from the outside—so it can draw on various sporting perspectives and further strengthen its brand.

In doing so, Alpine has exploited sportspeople’s existing interest in motorsport. For one, Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold is a keen F1 fan. The 25-year-old attended the Spanish Grand Prix over the summer and has previously linked up with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

Investing in Alpine seems to make sense. It has the Renault Group propping it up, space for improvement competitively given Mercedes’ and now Red Bull’s superiority season after season, and wealthy sports stars well-placed to jump on board. Above all, the name—around since 1955 but relatively new to F1—is seeing its revenues and value increase sharply.

Accompanied by agents and management there to advise and assist in their commercial dealings, it’s little wonder that names such as Mata are getting involved. The next question is how far they can help take it.