Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore coyly ruled out Christian Horner joining its Formula 1 team in the future, saying there are no plans to involve him “for the moment”.
The 51-year-old was sensationally fired by Red Bull after the British Grand Prix, bringing to a close his 20 years as Team Principal of the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Horner, who was the only boss the team had ever had, and F1’s longest-serving, was immediately replaced by Racing Bulls chief Laurent Mekies as Team Principal and CEO.
The surprise move quickly triggered speculation of a swift return to the sport, refuelling longstanding rumours about a potential switch to Ferrari.
Horner was then linked to Alpine, due to the logistical ease of a potential move, as well as his friendship with Briatore, who is currently its interim Team Principal.
Ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Briatore was asked whether there might be a place for Horner in the Enstone-based outfit‘s ranks.
“No, I don’t consider him in this moment anything,” the Italian told media including Motorsport Week. “And Christian is not in Formula 1 in this moment anymore.”
Has Briatore left the Alpine door ajar for Horner?
Briatore has overseen some changes within Alpine since arriving back on the F1 scene last May, one of which was forced upon him.
After making the call to shut down its engine plant in Viry-Chatillon, Alpine subsequently joined forces with Mercedes as a power unit customer from next year.
But Briatore had to place himself back on the pit wall after the unexpected resignation of former Team Principal Oliver Oakes.
Engineering guru Steve Nielsen has been signed to become Alpine’s Managing Director, but Briatore has still remained de facto leader with no replacement for Oakes found.
Horner has most recently been linked with a possible inclusion into the hierarchy at the nascent Cadillac team, but the American marque quickly shut down any possibility of this.
Briatore added that he wishes for Horner to be back in F1 in the near future, and despite continuing to rule out signing him for Alpine, there appeared to be a door left slightly ajar.
“I hope he can come back soon,” he said. “But for the moment, he’s not in the picture for the team.”
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