Can Ryan Reynolds bring his Hollywood touch to the world of Formula 1 with Alpine as he did with Wrexham AFC?
When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the Welsh football team, Wrexham AFC, they did not know much about football. And yet, they were able to lead the team to their first league title in years — a feat that has uplifted not only the team but the entire Wrexham community as well.
Following this success, the Hollywood duo now seems interested in expanding their sporting portfolio in a new sport: Formula 1.
Earlier today, Alpine’s parent group, Renault, announced that they have sold the Alpine Formula 1 team for an estimated total of €900 million to an American Investment group that includes both Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Who is buying Alpine F1?
After finishing in fourth last season and currently sitting at fifth in the constructor’s championship, Alpine F1 has been on the lookout for investors who might be interested in developing the team into one that can challenge for the title.
And now, they have found a group that is willing to take the risk.
The American investment group that bought Renault’s shares includes Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, and Maximum Effort Investments.
This is not the first sports team that RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments have bought into. The former’s portfolio includes the third-largest share in Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC. On the other hand, Maximum Effort Investments is a group owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who own Wrexham AFC. The two actors were also recently joined by fellow actor Michael B. Jordan.
What does this mean for Alpine?
While money can’t fix everything, in the world of Formula 1, money still means a great deal.
With this new investment, Alpine may be able to use their new sources of funds to develop their research, their car, and as a result, maybe even their standings in the ongoing season.
But apart from just earning money from this deal, Alpine will also greatly benefit from the expertise of the Wrexham owners, who have just led their Welsh football team their first promotion into the English Football League in 15 years.
“This association is an important step to enhance our performance at all levels. First, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, and Maximum Effort Investments, as international players with strong track record in the sports industry, will bring their recognized expertise to boost our media and marketing strategy, essential to support our sporting performance over the long-term,” Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi said.
Will Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney be able to help this Formula 1 team make history just as they did with Wrexham?
Banner images from Ryan Reynolds on Instagram and Alpine F1 on Twitter.
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