43-win F1 team boss told his time is ‘over’ now that Christian Horner is on the market

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Christian Horner is highly unlikely to join another member of F1’s ‘big four’ after losing his Red Bull job. He may have to take on a longer-term midfield project instead.

Horner’s intense rivalries with his counterparts at Mercedes and McLaren may well preclude any interest. What’s more, there’s no indication that Toto Wolff is under pressure, and Andrea Stella signed a new contract just a year ago.

Ferrari seemed like a more viable destination for Horner, but initial talks didn’t progress, and now Fred Vasseur has extended his deal. A return to Red Bull appears out of the question as long as the current ownership remains in place.

There has been talk that Horner could ally with Toyota, who are looking to buy the Haas team. And Horner has also been linked to Cadillac, though they only recently appointed Graeme Lowdon to lead their fledgling team.

Ralf Schumacher says Alpine need to change Flavio Briatore role to accommodate Christian Horner

The most realistic destination, up to this point, appears to be Alpine. Steve Nielsen has just taken on the managing director job, working under Flavio Briatore.

While his job title is technically ‘executive advisor’, Briatore is the highest authority within the Enstone-based F1 team. One theory is that Horner could buy a stake in Alpine to secure a high degree of influence.

Speaking to Bild, F1 pundit Ralf Schumacher said Alpine’s current model is outdated. Briatore oversaw 43 race victories and four world championships as the boss of forerunners Benetton and Renault, but Schumacher has called for the team to recruit a more ‘technically skilled’ leader like Horner.

His vision is that Briatore stays at the team as a ‘networker’, but the reins are passed to close friend Horner.

• READ MORE: Flavio Briatore reacts to Christian Horner’s Red Bull exit amid links to Alpine F1 role

“I think the time for figures like Flavio is over,” said Schumacher. “You need technically skilled people at the top, someone like Horner. Flavio could then help as an organiser and networker, as a face to the outside world.”

Why Christian Horner may have to issue an apology before he joins Alpine

Nico Rosberg says it would be a ‘great story’ if Horner joined Alpine, who have only won one race and scored six podiums since their 2021 rebrand. But the move would be somewhat complicated, even if Briatore was willing to step aside.

Horner was fiercely critical of Renault during their days as Red Bull’s engine suppliers, leading to a tense relationship with their then-boss Cyril Abiteboul. The French manufacturer have axed their F1 engine operation and will run Mercedes power units next year instead.

But Renault remain in place as the majority shareholders, so Horner may have to apologise for his past remarks to smooth over the relationship.

The 51-year-old technically remains a Red Bull employee – he was simply relieved of his duties as team principal. He’s currently negotiating a lucrative settlement package given that his contract was due to run until 2030.