Move over, Wrexham—Ryan Reynolds is officially trading the soccer pitch for the pit lane. The “Deadpool” star has sent shockwaves through social media after it was announced that he is part of an investor group buying a massive stake in the Alpine Formula race team.
The deal, worth a staggering million euros (roughly $ million), secures a % stake in the British-based team. While the French manufacturer Renault remains the majority owner, the injection of Hollywood star power has F fans and celebrity watchers alike buzzing about what this means for the sport’s growing popularity in the U.S.
A Star-Studded Winner’s Circle
Reynolds isn’t making the move alone. His Maximum Effort Investments group includes his Wrexham co-chairman Rob McElhenney and “Creed” star Michael B. Jordan. The trio is part of a larger collective involving Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners, putting Alpine Racing at a total valuation of about million euros.
The news immediately lit up X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, with fans jokingly asking if Michael B. Jordan will be giving the drivers boxing lessons or if Reynolds will be narrating the team’s radio communications. “If this means we get a ‘Welcome to Alpine’ documentary, I am % in,” one fan commented in a viral post.
The Power of Storytelling
The Alpine team, which currently features an all-French driver lineup of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, finished fourth in the season. While they are currently battling for position in the standings, the arrival of Reynolds and Jordan is expected to boost their brand far beyond the track.
James Toney, co-founder of Maximum Effort Investments, hinted that the group plans to use their cinematic expertise to elevate the team’s profile. “Maximum Effort Investments focuses on unlocking value through the power of storytelling,” Toney said. “We are eager to help shine a light on this incredible team.”
This strategy has already proven successful for Reynolds and McElhenney. After purchasing the Welsh soccer club Wrexham AFC, they turned the experience into the hit FX series “Welcome to Wrexham,” bringing global attention and sponsorship to a previously under-the-radar team.
F’s Hollywood Glow-Up
Formula has already seen a massive surge in American interest thanks to the Netflix sensation “Formula : Drive to Survive.” Now, with Hollywood’s most bankable stars putting their money where their mouths are, the sport is reaching a whole new level of cultural relevance.
According to a statement from Alpine, the team will benefit from the group’s “collective expertise and track record” with major brands like the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL. The focus will be on “unlocking incremental value” through better merchandising, licensing, and hospitality.
While the deal covers the F race team, it does not include the wider Alpine road car manufacturer or the engine manufacturing entity in France. However, for the fans watching at home, the technicalities matter less than the prospect of seeing Ryan Reynolds and Michael B. Jordan cheering from the paddock at the next Grand Prix.
With the season in full swing, all eyes will be on Gasly and Ocon to see if that “Maximum Effort” energy translates to the podium. One thing is for sure: the F paddock just got a lot more glamorous.
