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Christian Horner could return to Formula 1 with Alpine in 2026. He’s in talks over a deal to buy a 24% stake in the Enstone team.
The stake is currently owned by Otro Capital, a consortium that includes Hollywood celebrities and superstar athletes, but they are open to the idea of selling it.
Horner didn’t deny the links to Alpine when asked about the story. He is eligible to return to work from next spring under the terms of his settlement with Red Bull.
Could Christian Horner really work with Renault?
The Briton is not expected to become team principal if the deal goes through. Steve Nielsen was recently appointed as managing director, while Flavio Briatore oversees the team as an executive advisor.
Christian Horner could take full control of the Alpine F1 team
According to The Telegraph, one of Horner’s main requirements as he seeks an F1 comeback is ‘full control’. In that respect, Alpine could give him what he never had at Red Bull, where his power was diluted by Helmut Marko and the team’s shareholders.
Practically speaking, the location is also ideal for Horner, who lives in the same county (Oxfordshire) as the team’s base. The 52-year-old has a young family.
What changes would you make to our list?
Horner’s friendship with Briatore ‘may help smooth any deal’, although the former Red Bull boss may insist on taking over the Italian’s responsibilities.
Despite his immense record at Milton Keynes, Horner has found few receptive partners since he entered the market. Ferrari insist that they remain committed to Fred Vasseur, who recently signed a new contract, and an arrangement with another top team is unrealistic.
Looking to the midfield, Aston Martin say Horner won’t be joining, while Haas and Cadillac have publicly ruled out a collaboration too.
How much will it cost Christian Horner to buy a stake in Alpine?
The price of F1 teams is rising all the time. Alpine were recently valued at £1.57bn, an increase of nearly £400m from last year despite their last-place finish in the constructors’.
Going by that valuation, Horner would have to pay around £376m to buy a 24% stake in a team.
Reports in the summer suggested Alpine were demanding almost £300m for the shares, so the exact figure is unknown.
While Horner’s Red Bull payout was extremely lucrative, he won’t be financing the deal alone. He’s said to have assembled a group of wealthy backers.
Buying a stake in Alpine may also be cheaper than setting up his own F1 team, which is one of the alternative options.
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