If Horner's arrival is finalized, Alpine would add the most decorated team principal of the last two decades: 14 titles won at Red Bull (six constructors' and eight drivers') before his departure following internal conflicts.
The former Red Bull Racing boss leads a consortium that is preparing a strong offer to join the French team
If Horner's arrival is finalized, Alpine would add the most decorated team principal of the last two decades: 14 titles won at Red Bull (six constructors' and eight drivers') before his departure following internal conflicts.
The end of 2025 arrives with turbulence in the paddock and news that shakes Formula 1 just before the regulatory change for next season. Christian Horner, former Red Bull Racing boss and one of the most successful team principals of the modern era, could return to the category as majority shareholder and controlling figure at Alpine.
The rumor gained strength again after a report by De Telegraaf, written by journalist Rik van Haren, an expert on the energy drink team's structure. According to the publication, Horner is leading an investment consortium that is preparing a 763 million euro offer to acquire a majority stake in the French team. German outlet Auto Motor Sport reinforced that version and stated that the group expects to finalize the deal in the coming days.
The current minority shareholders, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners, and Maximum Effort Investments (partly owned by Ryan Reynolds), would be willing to part with 24% of the capital, acquired for 200 million in the summer of 2023. What is still not defined is how many shares of parent company Renault would enter the negotiation, a key point in determining whether Horner would have full operational control.
His return to F1 had already been the subject of failed negotiations with other teams, but this time his pursuit would be different. Auto Motor Sport indicates that he will not accept a purely sporting role, but will instead demand decision-making power as controlling shareholder. That demand for authority was, precisely, central to his split with Red Bull.
The arrival of the Briton could also strain the internal organizational chart. Flavio Briatore, adviser and then interim boss since 2024 after Oliver Oakes's departure, would see his role redefined in a scenario where two strong leaderships would have to coexist.
For now, the talks remain confidential. However, if the move is confirmed, it may mark one of the deepest structural changes in Alpine's history and a noisy comeback for Horner, from dismissal to regaining control of the future.