Alpine Confirms Christian Horner's Interest in Purchasing Team Stake

Alpine has officially confirmed that Christian Horner is part of a consortium of investors expressing interest in purchasing a stake in the team. The potential deal targets the 24% share currently held by Otro Capital, as the surging popularity of Formula 1 drives up team valuations and attracts new money to the grid.

Why it matters:

This development signals a potential dramatic return for Horner, who has been largely absent from the paddock since his departure from Red Bull last July. For Alpine, bringing in a high-profile figure like Horner could provide not just capital but also a wealth of technical and strategic expertise as they aim to restructure and challenge for podiums under the new 2026 regulations.

The details:

• Ownership Structure: Alpine is currently split between the Renault Group (76%) and investment group Otro Capital (24%). Otro, which invested £171m back in 2023, has reportedly held preliminary talks to sell its stake amidst rising team valuations.
• Investor Interest: Alpine acknowledged that multiple parties have approached them, with Horner’s group being one of them. The team emphasized that any discussions are exclusively with existing shareholders, not directly with team management like Flavio Briatore.
• Horner's Role: Following his exit from Red Bull, reports suggest Horner prefers an ownership role for the added job security rather than returning as a traditional Team Principal.

What's next:

While the team focuses on on-track competitiveness for the 2026 season, Horner is preparing for a public return to the spotlight. He is scheduled to begin a speaking tour in Australia next month, coinciding with the start of the F1 season in Melbourne.