Founder of Rodin Cars David Dicker Reveals Formula 1 Aspirations and AlphaTauri Acquisition Bid

Founder of Rodin Cars David Dicker, a prominent figure in the world of motorsport, recently unveiled his aspirations and frustrations in his quest to enter the exclusive realm of Formula 1. While his company, Rodin Cars, has made a name for itself in the automotive industry, Dicker’s attempts to secure a spot on the Formula 1 grid faced formidable challenges.

One of the most significant revelations from Dicker’s candid interview was his endeavor to acquire the AlphaTauri F1 team. This move was fueled by a desire to establish a foothold in the pinnacle of motorsport. However, Dicker encountered a major roadblock in the form of the team’s staggering selling price, which ranged between $800-900 million. This eye-watering figure made the acquisition appear commercially unviable, ultimately forcing Dicker to reconsider his pursuit.

Key Takeaways:

• David Dicker, the visionary behind Rodin Cars, explored the possibility of purchasing the AlphaTauri Formula 1 team.
• The team’s asking price of $800-900 million proved to be a significant impediment to the acquisition.
• Dicker expressed his frustration over Rodin Cars’ rejection by the FIA, highlighting the challenges faced by newcomers in the Formula 1 arena.

Undeterred by the setback, David Dicker remains resolute in his ambition to leave a mark on Formula 1. He alluded to an exciting project in the works, the details of which are shrouded in secrecy for now. Dicker’s determination to find alternative routes into the sport demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the world of Formula 1.

Reflecting on missed opportunities, Dicker expressed regret over his failure to secure the Williams F1 team when it was available for purchase. He acknowledged missteps in his bid and strategy, which ultimately led to the deal slipping through his fingers. Moreover, he revealed that opportunities to acquire Sauber and Haas had intermittently presented themselves at more reasonable prices, serving as poignant reminders of what might have been.

In a recent development, the FIA granted approval for Andretti Cadillac to join the illustrious Formula 1 fraternity. Unfortunately, this approval did not extend to several other applicants, including LKYSUNZ, HiTech GP, and Rodin. With their dreams of securing a spot on the Formula 1 grid dashed, these aspirants faced a challenging dilemma.

“Well, I do have some talks about buying AlphaTauri, but the price is commercially unviable as far as I could understand it.

You’ve still got to look at these things in commercial terms. And the F1 guys are experts on the motorsport side, but on the business side, I’m not so sure.”

For David Dicker and Rodin Cars, the only plausible path to Formula 1 now appears to be through the acquisition of an existing team. Dicker did make efforts to engage Red Bull in discussions about the potential purchase of their sister team, AlphaTauri. However, these discussions did not progress to fruition, leaving Dicker and Rodin Cars at a crossroads.

“I’ve had a few people talk about this and that, but nothing tremendously concrete.

I do have a couple of things that I might get a bit more info in the next week or two about some possibilities there. But the value proposition is weak.

I do have a project that I’m working on. It’s interesting and exciting, but I can’t talk about it quite yet, because I haven’t quite got it.

But let me put it this way: I’m pretty pissed off about not getting into Formula 1, so I’m not just going to go away and sulk.

That’s just the way that the way I am. I mean, you want to do things, and that’s what life’s about. You just try to do them. And if you can’t do it one way, then look for another way, or other ways, of doing things.”

Speaking candidly to RACER, Dicker conveyed his unwavering determination, stating, “Rodin’s boss isn’t going to give up that easily because he’s pissed off about not being able to join Formula 1.” This unwavering resolve has been the driving force behind his quest for alternatives and new opportunities within the sport.

“Well, I would (buy a team) if I thought there was a viable route, but paying $800-900million for (AlphaTauri) would probably not be considered commercially viable. But you know, just got to see if there’s possibilities.

I made a mistake when Williams was for sale because I could have bought that pretty easily. And I didn’t read the strategic landscape correctly on that with the way we made the bid, which in hindsight, was obviously a mistake. But there it goes.

I had a lot of talks with Williams about buying Williams – saw all the numbers and sat through presentations and made them an offer and everything – and I’ve had a few guys talking about other teams from time to time.

Mostly Sauber and Haas, which have more or less been on and off the market for years, and could have probably been bought for much lower numbers that made a lot more sense. And like I said, I probably screwed that up.”