A dual-leadership setup of Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore could serve as “an excellent compromise” for the Alpine F1 team.
This assertion comes from Giancarlo Fisichella, a former driver for Renault and Ferrari, who firmly believes that Horner will return to F1 soon.
Could Christian Horner Partner with Flavio Briatore at Alpine?
Horner was let go from Red Bull after more than two decades at the helm following the British Grand Prix in July. Laurent Mekies has since taken over as team principal and chief executive.
Having led Red Bull to six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships since the team debuted in 2005, Horner remains one of the most successful team principals in F1 history.
Recently, it was reported that Horner officially severed ties with Red Bull after securing a $100 million (£74.2m/€85.1m) settlement.
Toto Wolff Becomes Longest-Serving F1 Team Principal after Horner’s Exit
According to sources, the terms of Horner’s departure allow him to seek a return to Formula 1 in the 2026 season. Many speculate he may aim for a team-ownership role similar to Toto Wolff, who owns a stake in Mercedes while also serving as team principal.
For now, it appears Horner is focused on spending time with his family and has not initiated discussions related to a return to F1.
Alpine’s Future and Potential Leadership Changes
Alpine has had a difficult 2025 season, currently sitting at the bottom of the championship, trailing Haas by 24 points with seven races remaining. There are growing concerns over Renault’s long-term commitment as the current team owner.
Horner has a close rapport with Briatore, the former Renault team principal who returned to Alpine last year as an executive adviser. Fisichella, who spent time at Enstone during his career, believes that a partnership between Horner and Briatore could be quite fruitful.
Fisichella’s Optimism for Briatore and Alpine
Fisichella expressed confidence in Briatore’s capabilities, stating he is “the right man” to revitalize Alpine despite their underwhelming performance this season.
In response to questions about Horner potentially joining Alpine, Briatore downplayed the rumors, asserting that Horner is “not in the picture” at the moment.
Wolff’s Take on Potential Collaborations
Toto Wolff has commented on the idea of a Horner-Briatore partnership, likening it to a “mafia reunion,” suggesting it could generate significant excitement for F1.
As the speculation continues, the dynamics among team principals could shift dramatically, potentially benefiting the sport as a whole.
