Christian Horner Confirmed in Talks to Buy Stake in Alpine

Alpine has confirmed that former Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is part of an investor group negotiating to purchase a stake in the Renault-owned team. The discussions center on acquiring the 24 percent shareholding currently held by Otro Capital, marking Horner's potential return to the grid following his departure from Red Bull last year.

Why it matters:

Bringing in a figure of Horner’s caliber could signal a major shift in Alpine's trajectory. Despite recent on-track struggles, the team's valuation has surged alongside Formula 1's commercial boom. Securing a high-profile investor with a proven track record of championship success could provide the commercial and sporting boost Alpine needs as it heads into the new regulatory era in 2026.

The details:

• The Stake: Otro Capital acquired its 24 percent stake in 2023 for approximately €200 million ($343m AUD). While Alpine has faced performance challenges, the value of this share has increased significantly due to the sport's overall growth.
• Renault's Role: Any transaction requires the approval of Renault, which retains the remaining 76 percent of the team. Approaches are being made directly to shareholders, not team management like Flavio Briatore.
• Briatore's Stance: The acting team principal downplayed the situation, noting "a lot of confusion" with multiple interested parties contacting him daily. He clarified that while he speaks with Horner, the negotiation is strictly between the investor group and Otro Capital.

What's next:

Horner is set to break his public silence next month during a speaking tour in Australia ahead of the Melbourne season opener. While the investment talks remain in the exploratory stages, Alpine remains focused on its 2026 recovery, aiming to leverage the new regulations to return to competitiveness.