F1 team boss has blocked Christian Horner move because he doesn’t want to be his sidekick

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Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner seems to be out of options to invest in one of the existing Formula 1 teams.

Under the settlement he agreed last summer, Horner is now free to return to the F1 paddock. He is known to want a stake in his new team, something he didn’t have at Red Bull.

It’s a move that would consolidate his power, but also makes negotiations more complicated. Unless an incumbent team principal is prepared to give up some authority, Horner is relying on an attractive vacancy opening up.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem expects to see Christian Horner return to F1. Which team would be his best landing spot?

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Flavio Briatore doesn’t want to give ‘the keys’ to Christian Horner

Up to this point, a deal with Alpine was the likeliest comeback route. As reported by The Daily Mail, Horner has held talks over buying the 24% stake held by Otro Capital.

Otro only bought the shares in 2023 but are now looking to sell them for an ominous profit. It could cost £537m to invest in Alpine, with the recent Gucci title sponsorship deal raising the price tag.

Mercedes have been negotiating with Otro, but the FIA are under pressure to block that deal amid concerns over sporting integrity. Zak Brown’s letter of protest appeared to boost Horner’s chances, but his talks have also ‘stalled’, even if he has the ‘backing’ to do a deal.

It’s said that Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor who effectively runs Alpine, is ‘unwilling’ to give Horner ‘the keys’ to the operation. Even though they have a good relationship, he doesn’t want to be relegated to his number two.

Elsewhere, Horner has ‘tentatively’ spoken to BYD about fronting their prospective F1 entry, but that could take five years to materialise.

As for the current teams, Piero Ferrari is keen on Horner, but chairman John Elkann remains committed to Fred Vasseur.

Lawrence Stroll has regular contact with Horner, but it’s unclear if Adrian Newey wants to work for his former colleague again. The relationship between the two apparently became strained during Newey’s final years at Red Bull.