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Christian Horner is eyeing a sensational return to the F1 paddock, but a massive hurdle remains: securing a high-profile buyout deal with Renault for a stake in Alpine.
As one of the most successful F1 team principals of the 21st century, it became clear that Christian Horner would be interested in returning to the paddock following his sacking from Red Bull last July.
Following months and months of speculation, a genuine route appeared for the 52-year-old after Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore confirmed that Horner was part of a consortium who are negotiating a deal to buy Otro Capital’s 24% share in the F1 outfit.
Otro represents a massive group of athletes and actors who provided the actual cash to buy the company’s 24% stake in Alpine back in 2023.
If Horner is successful in purchasing the chunk of Alpine, he will effectively be buying out the investment held by famous names such as Ryan Reynolds, Patrick Mahomes, Rory McIlroy and Anthony Joshua.
- READ MORE: Christian Horner has an ‘outlier’ back-up plan in case Renault block his £585m Alpine buy-in
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
Ralf Schumacher shares what he has ‘heard’ regarding Christian Horner’s Alpine deal
On a recent episode of the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, F1 pundit Ralf Schumacher touched upon the links between Horner and Alpine that have been heating up in recent weeks.
As the majority holder of Alpine shares, Renault could ‘veto’ Horner’s purchase, but the former F1 driver has received word that they have already come to an agreement.
He said: “So, from what I’ve heard, it’s already been decided, but not before the middle or autumn of next year.
“There are reasons for this, because Mercedes are new to the team and, obviously, Toto Wolff and Christian Horner aren’t exactly the best of friends.
“As far as I’ve heard, they want to get settled in at Alpine first and then think about making changes. I can also imagine that Flavio has tried again to keep all the power to himself.
“Obviously, he won’t be happy that Christian Horner wants to play a role, wants to be the owner, wants to be on site.
“And then I could imagine that Flavio Briatore’s sole rule will also be different or come to an end. And that is, of course, everything Flavio does not want.”
- READ MORE: Ford boss says Red Bull have escaped an era of ‘controversy’ after Christian Horner’s exit
Could Christian Horner really work with Renault?
Christian Horner will be working with Toto Wolff if his purchase of Alpine shares goes through
As Schumacher alluded to, a potential introduction to the fold for Horner at Alpine would see the former Red Bull boss working alongside his arch-nemesis Wolff through Mercedes’ engine partnership with the Enstone-based team.
The two very successful team principals shared a rather heated rivalry during the Briton’s time at Red Bull, through the many battles their respective F1 outfits fought at the front of the field.
Even with Horner out of the paddock, their war of words in the media continued. During an interview last year, Wolff theorised that Horner’s ‘entitlement’ cost him his job at Red Bull.
It would be a fascinating working dynamic between the two fierce rivals if the 52-year-old’s deal with Alpine does go through.
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