Alpine senior adviser Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Christian Horner is holding talks about a possible entry into the French outfit. The former Red Bull team principal is said to be interested in buying the share package held by investment firm Otro Capital, which currently owns 24 percent of the team. Through that route Horner would look to buy into Alpine and could once again claim a prominent position in the paddock.
Since his dismissal from Red Bull last year, Christian Horner has been frequently linked with a return to Formula 1. In recent months the Briton is reported to have held talks with the likes of Aston Martin and Haas, but nothing concrete followed. Former Aston Martin boss Andy Cowell quipped earlier that Horner “had the whole paddock on the line.” Interest in Alpine now appears more tangible, partly because Horner is reportedly insisting on a role that includes acquiring equity rather than purely a management position. That demand is said to have derailed previous negotiations with other teams.
The Alpine Formula 1 team is largely owned by parent company Renault. A 24 percent minority stake has been held since 2023 by an investor group led by Otro Capital, which bought in at around €200 million at the time. That package is now being seen as a possible entry point for Horner. Flavio Briatore confirmed during the season launch in Barcelona that talks are taking place, although negotiations remain in an early stage.
‘Horner negotiating with Otro’
During a press conference after the presentation of the Alpine livery and the A526, Briatore provided further explanation. “Otro wants to sell his stake in Alpine,” he said. “There are a number of groups interested in buying that 24 percent. We don’t know more at this time.” The Italian made clear that Renault will play a decisive role at a later stage. “Once someone takes over Otro’s stake, we will still retain the majority share and will open talks. But for now, this is the situation.”
The Alpine chief finally distanced himself from the negotiations and from his personal relationship with Horner. “I’ve known Christian for years and speak to him regularly, but this has nothing to do with me. First Otro must be bought out and then Renault must accept the buyer. Only then will we see what that means for us. But he (Horner, ed.) is negotiating with Otro, not with us,” Briatore stressed.
