Horner's Alpine Move Faces Delay as 2026 F1 Season Buzz Builds

Christian Horner's anticipated return to the F1 grid with Alpine could be delayed until September, adding a layer of uncertainty to the team principal market. This development unfolds as the wider F1 community shifts its focus to the 2026 season, with new teams, new cars, and renewed driver ambitions creating a buzz ahead of pre-season testing.

Why it matters:

Horner is a proven winner with over two decades of experience at Red Bull, and his leadership is seen as a potential catalyst for Alpine's resurgence. A delay in his appointment hinders the team's ability to establish its long-term leadership structure and strategic direction for the new ground-effect regulations era, potentially putting them on the back foot against more stable organizations.

The details:

• Horner's Alpine Hurdle: A specific "company clause" is reportedly the stumbling block, potentially pushing Horner's official start date back to September, well after the season has begun.
• Perez's Marko Anecdote: In a lighter note, Sergio Perez recalled an early Red Bull story where Helmut Marko was surprisingly hit with a £6,000 bill for a single psychologist session intended for the Mexican driver, who is now set to return in 2026 with Cadillac.
• Audi Hits the Track First: The rebranded Audi F1 team is set to be the first on track with its 2026 machinery, holding a filming day at Barcelona this Friday, 17 days before the first official pre-season test.
• Aston Martin's Newey Hope: Team principal Mike Krack has expressed a "good understanding" of the new AMR26's performance potential. The car, the first designed by legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey for the team and powered by Honda, will be officially launched on February 9.
• Hamilton's 2026 Reset: After a "very draining" 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton is working with his "personal team" to create a more efficient schedule for his 2026 campaign with Ferrari, aiming to bounce back from the first winless season of his career.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Barcelona to get the first glimpse of Audi's 2026 contender. Following that, the F1 world will await the official launch of the highly-anticipated Aston Martin AMR26 before teams converge for the first pre-season test, where the true pecking order for the new season will begin to take shape.