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Following his removal as Red Bull Racing team principal in July 2025, Christian Horner has wasted little time plotting his return to Formula 1—but not as a mere subordinate. The 51-year-old British motorsport executive has reportedly assembled a powerful consortium of investors with approximately €763 million (£665 million) in backing to acquire a controlling stake in Alpine, the Enstone-based F1 team. This marks a significant escalation from initial speculation, confirming that Horner's ambitions extend far beyond a standard team principal appointment.
Horner spent two decades building Red Bull Racing into a championship-winning powerhouse before the team's disappointing 2025 campaign prompted management to sever ties with the iconic figure. Yet his departure appears to have accelerated rather than deterred his ambitions. According to German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Horner's acquisition process is progressing rapidly, with expectations that the consortium's shareholding negotiations could be finalized within days. However, more cautious reporting from Bild suggests that while talks are actively underway, no formal agreement has been reached, with a potential breakthrough not expected until early 2026 at the earliest.
The lynchpin of Horner's strategy centers on acquiring shares currently held by Otro Capital, which owns a 24 percent stake in Alpine valued at approximately £700 million. The investment group, which also counts Liverpool footballer Trent Alexander-Arnold and golf champion Rory McIlroy among its notable backers, acquired its Alpine holding for £175 million in 2023. A sale now would represent a substantial return on investment for Otro Capital while providing Horner with a foundation for majority control.
This consortium approach distinguishes Horner's bid from typical F1 leadership transitions. Rather than accepting a role comparable to his previous position at Red Bull, Horner is explicitly seeking an ownership stake combined with operational control—a dual objective that reflects lessons learned during his exit from the Austrian team. Multiple sources suggest that Horner views team principal responsibilities as merely the entry point, with long-term ownership and strategic direction as his ultimate objective.
The leadership dilemma: Horner vs. Briatore
Any Horner-led takeover would inevitably reshape Alpine's leadership hierarchy, creating potential friction with existing power structures. The team currently operates under the guidance of Flavio Briatore, serving as chief advisor, alongside managing director Steve Nielsen. Horner's arrival as a part-owner with team principal ambitions would fundamentally alter this arrangement, and observers question whether such a power-sharing arrangement would prove viable.
Guenther Steiner, former Haas team principal, has publicly cast doubt on the compatibility between Horner and Briatore, stating that having "Flavio and him in the top position… that would not work." This dynamic represents perhaps the most significant obstacle to a swift resolution, as Alpine's existing leadership structure may resist diminishment of their current influence.
Alpine's motivation to restructure ownership and leadership stems from a catastrophic 2025 campaign. The French-backed team finished last in the constructors' championship, accumulating a mere fraction of the points secured by competitive rivals. The impending 2026 regulation changes offer a potential reset opportunity, but the team's deteriorating results and financial instability make external investment increasingly attractive.
For Horner and his consortium, Alpine represents a turnaround opportunity—albeit one requiring substantial capital investment and patience. The team's technical infrastructure at Enstone remains intact, and factory support from Renault provides a foundation that could be rebuilt under fresh leadership.
The pathway forward involves navigating both commercial negotiations and Formula 1's regulatory framework. Reports suggest that Horner may initially secure appointment as team principal before acquiring shareholding, allowing contractual and regulatory obligations from his Red Bull exit to be satisfied. This phased approach would respect the terms of his departure while positioning him to acquire ownership stakes once legal restrictions have elapsed. Discussions between Horner's financial backers and Alpine's current shareholders are expected to resume at the beginning of 2026, suggesting that major announcements may emerge in the coming weeks.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.