After his departure from Red Bull, Christian Horner has been speculated to be making a return to Formula 1. The 52-year-old has been exploring potential roles within the sport over recent months.
In early October, Aston Martin publicly stated they would not be hiring Horner, swiftly dispelling rumors that he would take over from Andy Cowell.
Nonetheless, the former Red Bull team principal has other opportunities lined up for his F1 comeback. Recent reports indicate that Horner is in advanced discussions with Alpine.
Horner’s Likely Path to an F1 Comeback
The announcement that Laurent Mekies would be replacing Christian Horner shocked many, although the reasons for his departure became clearer over time.
Following the allegations against Horner in early 2024, it took nearly a year for team tensions to ease, with internal struggles still impacting personnel decisions.
After Horner’s exit from Red Bull, Helmut Marko made several accusations about Horner’s aspirations to take greater control of the team, which he suggested harmed both performance and Verstappen’s title chances.
Regardless of the reasons behind his ousting, Horner is actively pursuing a return to F1. According to Telegraaf, he is currently negotiating with Alpine, potentially alongside a group of investors looking to acquire a stake in the team.
Approximately two years ago, a number of high-profile individuals, including Ryan Reynolds and Anthony Joshua, acquired 24% of the team’s shares in conjunction with American group Otro Capital.
Uncertain Directions at Alpine
The discussions involving Horner are prompting broader speculation not only about his next steps but also regarding the future of the French team. Alpine has undergone significant changes in a short period, including the appointment of Flavio Briatore as executive advisor, indicating a desperate bid to elevate the team’s status.
Given past high-profile exits, Briatore’s inclusion appears as a final attempt by Renault to salvage their F1 project. Additionally, transitioning Alpine into a customer team, using Mercedes engines for the upcoming regulations, raises questions about their long-term commitment to F1.
This shift might ease a future sale of the team, considering the 2021 rebranding from Renault to Alpine. For now, all this remains speculative; however, Horner’s negotiations could significantly influence Alpine’s direction moving forward.
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Main photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images (Red Bull Content Pool)
