The return of Christian Horner to Formula 1 appears to be a step closer. It was previously reported that Alpine is interested in collaborating with the former Red Bull team boss, but Horner is reportedly not just going to join the French racing stable. The Briton would, like Toto Wolff at Mercedes, also want to become a shareholder of the team. The investors of Alpine are reportedly willing to accommodate this.
Christian Horner was dismissed as team boss by Red Bull last July. The Briton had to make way for Frenchman Laurent Mekies, after the desired results were not achieved during the first Grands Prix of the 2025 season. Since Horner’s departure from Formula 1, the rumor mill has been working overtime with stories about a possible return of the Briton to the premier class.
According to the German publication BILD, the Alpine team is particularly keen to bring in the British former team boss. However, Horner is reportedly not interested in becoming just the team boss of the racing stable. As a result, Alpine’s investors are now reportedly willing to sell their shares to Horner. This includes investor Otro Capitol, whose stake in Alpine is now worth 700 million pounds (around €800 million). If a deal with the investment company were to take place, Horner would become a co-owner of the French team. According to the German media outlet, discussions between Horner and Otro Capital will resume at the beginning of 2026.
2025 Season
Alpine finished at the bottom of the constructors’ championship in 2025. Pierre Gasly was responsible for gathering the 22 World Championship points for the French racing stable, while teammate Franco Colapinto did not score any World Championship points. As a result, Alpine ended up with less than half the points of Sauber – ninth place in the championship. If Horner does indeed join Alpine, it could not happen until at least April 2026. That’s when the former team boss’s gardening leave is reportedly due to end. The arrival of the Brit would then be too late for the start of the new regulation cycle.
