Rory McIlroy joins superstars with investment in F1 team

Rory McIlroy has joined the leading sports stars and high-profile celebrities investing in the Alpine Formula One team.

The four-time major champion has become part of an investment firm who have bought a stake in the Renault-owned team.

It was announced in June that the Otro Capital Group would invest £164million into the team for 24% equity in Alpine Racing.

And McIlroy has now joined the new co-investors who include Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexander Zverev.

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Other notable co-investors in the French manufacturer are Hollywood actors and Wrexham FC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, as well as NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelche.

McIlroy said in a joint statement that his “passion for excellence on the golf course has led me to admire the same pursuit in Formula 1.”

The world No.2 added: “Partnering with Otro Capitol in Alpine F1 is an exhilarating venture that unites my love for sports, competition and the relentless drive to be the best.”

Liverpool footballer Alexander-Arnold has put his backing into Alpine via APEX, a Portugal-based investment group which also has shares in the new TMRW Sports entertainment company set up by McIlroy and close friend Tiger Woods.

“I am delighted to lead an investor group investing in Alpine F1,” Alexander-Arnold said.

“The opportunity is very exciting, F1 is growing massively worldwide and I look forward to contributing to that growth.

“The sport brings together teamwork, pinpoint accuracy and innovation in a pressure-filled environment, these are aspects of my game we have in common.”

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The APEX group CEO, Antonio Cacorino, is similarly optimistic about the growth of a sport that has seen McIlroy and co. invest their millions.

“We have all seen growth in the sport over the last six or seven years and over the last two and three it has been really sustained growth,” he said.

“It has changed the sport for good, we believe F1’s momentum is here to stay and this was the perfect deal. F1 has gone beyond diehard petrolhead fans, it’s a sport for the masses. All over the world people are watching it and few sports have that.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, is taking a break after a hectic period on the course that included his starring performance in Europe’s 16.5-11.5 Ryder Cup victory over Team USA in Rome.

He will next tee it up at the season-closing DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from November 16-19.