Christian Horner eyes Alpine stake; Hamilton tests Ferrari active aero
Alpine confirms Christian Horner's interest in purchasing a stake, while Lewis Hamilton tests Ferrari's new active aero and eyes a former McLaren engineer for his race crew.
Alpine has officially confirmed that Christian Horner has expressed interest in buying a stake in the team, marking a potential dramatic return to the grid for the former Red Bull team principal. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is deepening his integration at Ferrari, testing the team's 2026 active aero components amid reports identifying a former McLaren engineer as his top candidate for race engineer.
Why it matters:
Horner's potential financial and technical involvement at Enstone could signal a major power shift within the midfield, bringing championship-winning expertise to a team seeking stability. Simultaneously, Ferrari's aggressive preparations for 2026, including key personnel changes and early adoption of new regulation technologies, highlight their urgency to maximize Hamilton's impact immediately upon his arrival.
The Details:
- Horner's Alpine Bid: After leaving Red Bull during the 2025 season, Horner views Alpine as his most likely route back into Formula 1. Reports suggest his return could be finalized by September.
- Hamilton's New Engineer: Former McLaren performance engineer Cedric Michel-Grosjean has emerged as the favorite to replace Riccardo Adami, who moved to a new role for 2026. Michel-Grosjean previously worked with Oscar Piastri.
- Gasly's Tribute: Pierre Gasly responded to criticism regarding a social media post wearing a Marlboro-branded red jacket while skiing on Michael Schumacher's birthday, insisting no offense was intended.
- Newey's AMR26: The Aston Martin AMR26, the first car designed by Adrian Newey for the team under their new Honda partnership, is set to launch on February 9 and is considered the most anticipated car of the season.
- Active Aero Debut: Footage from Ferrari's shakedown shows Hamilton testing the new moveable rear wing, a critical component of the 2026 regulations allowing cars to switch between low and high-downforce configurations.
What's next:
With the AMR26 launch imminent and shakedowns revealing the first glimpses of active aero, the grid is gearing up for a transformative 2026 season defined by new technical regulations and high-profile personnel moves.