Ralf Schumacher thinks Christian Horner might be secretly trying to invest in one Formula 1 team

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Many fans are already anticipating the return of Christian Horner to Formula 1 after his Red Bull exit earlier in the year.

Red Bull sacked Christian Horner after the British Grand Prix, with the team’s senior management team looking very different now than when they dominated the sport in 2023.

Helmut Marko has now left Red Bull, following the likes of Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall and many other figures who were essential to Max Verstappen’s four consecutive championship victories.

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Marko has called out Horner after he left the team following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the 14 championships Red Bull won under his leadership are difficult for many of the other teams on the grid to ignore.

Horner has since been linked with plenty of teams on the grid, although they’ve all quickly distanced themselves from working with the 52-year-old.

However, Ralf Schumacher and journalist Peter Hardenacke now believe that Horner is secretly trying to invest in Alpine, much to the annoyance of Flavio Briatore.

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

Ralf Schumacher thinks Christian Horner is secretly trying to invest in Alpine

Horner is believed to want to own a stake in whichever team he returns to Formula 1 with, which has put off several teams already.

Aston Martin have dismissed working with Horner, as have the likes of Haas and new team, Cadillac.

Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse Podcast about the former Red Bull team principal, Schumacher said: “I’m curious to see if Christian Horner will show up again.

“There are persistent rumours that he is trying to buy Alpine, much to the chagrin of Flavio Briatore. I’m curious to see if that’s true.

Hardenacke replied: “Yes, it must have happened behind his back, right? The two of them.

Schumacher continued: “Yes, but his best friend went straight to the CEO, Christian Horner.

“But of course, I understand, because, let’s say, Flavio Briatore is now doing that in a very, well, shall we say, hands-on style.

“He manages the team and has everything under control, just like it used to be, and I think he would naturally like to keep that position.”

Hardenacke concluded: “The Piranha Club, as they called themselves, right? I think Briatore was also a member, along with Toto Wolff and Christian Horner.

“But I don’t remember exactly who else was in it. It was probably a few years before that.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Alpine need all the help they can get after a dismal 2025 Formula 1 season

No team has ever finished last in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship with more points than Alpine last season.

Their total of 22 points was all scored by Frenchman Pierre Gasly, with Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto struggling in the second seat.

Alpine will become a Mercedes customer team next year, bringing an end to Renault’s historic involvement in Formula 1.

Horner’s expertise in taking a team from F1’s midfield to the top of the sport would be invaluable to Alpine.

Whether Gasly would be so happy about a reunion with Horner after he was dropped by Red Bull halfway through his only campaign with the team is another matter.

Colapinto would need to quickly impress Horner, too, who isn’t against a number one-number two driver situation, but the Argentinian won’t want to accept that position within the team without a fight.

It’s an interesting potential partnership between Alpine and Horner, and only time will tell if it ever comes to fruition.