F1 team owner could now ‘veto’ Christian Horner’s ‘preferred option’ to return to the paddock

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Christian Horner has not lost sight of his dream of returning to the Formula 1 paddock when his gardening leave concludes in April 2026 after being fired by Red Bull in 2025.

Red Bull removed Horner from his command as their F1 CEO and team principal in July 2025 in response to their declining results and his fight for even more power. The Briton spent 20 years in Milton Keynes, and he led them to eight drivers’ titles plus six constructors’ crowns.

Horner has regularly been linked with possible avenues to return to F1 since he left Red Bull, who formalised his departure in September 2025. Red Bull paid Horner between £52m and £80m to leave the team, as his contract with them was due to run through the 2030 season.

Additionally, Horner has met with US and Middle East investors to raise funds to facilitate his path back to Formula 1. The 52-year-old has tried to raise further capital, as he is weighing up creating his own team against buying shares in one of the 11 teams currently on the grid.

Would you like to see Christian Horner revive his rivalry with Toto Wolff?

Horner could make his F1 comeback with Alpine, who will have Mercedes engines from 2026 to 2030

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Renault could now ‘veto’ Christian Horner buying Otro Capital’s shares in Alpine

It has even now been said that Horner is in advanced talks to buy Otro Capital’s 24% stake in Alpine, with the investment group considering selling the shares that it bought for £173m in 2023. Otro Capital would expect to net £600m by selling its 24% stake in the Alpine F1 team.

READ MORE: Who is Christian Horner? All you need to know from Red Bull to net worth

But GPBlog reports that the Renault Group could ‘veto’ Horner buying any of the 24% shares in the Alpine F1 team that Otro Capital controls. Renault included a right to match an offer if Otro Capital decides to sell its shares in Alpine when it sold the stake to the USA-based firm.

Otro Capital is actively looking to quickly sell some, if not all, of its shares in Alpine, provided that the right offer comes along. Horner has even identified Alpine as one ‘preferred option’ for his return to F1, but he must convince Renault to allow him to join the ownership group.

Christian Horner might have to mend his bridges with Toto Wolff to buy into Alpine

Could Christian Horner really work with Renault?

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It has recently been suggested that Alpine could delay deciding on Horner’s investment until September due to Renault’s fears that him buying Otro Capital’s shares might create tension with Mercedes. Alpine will start using customer Mercedes engines from the 2026 F1 season.

Horner has yet to resolve his differences with Mercedes CEO and team principal, Toto Wolff. So, Renault and Alpine bosses do not want to potentially risk any tension with Mercedes at the start of their engine partnership with the Silver Arrows that is due to run through 2030.

Wolff and Horner developed a bitter contention for each other while Mercedes and Red Bull were title rivals through Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. So, as Wolff has admitted that Mercedes want to supply fewer engine customers, Horner may need to mend some bridges.