Christian Horner might have to wait until September this year before he can make his ploy to return to Formula 1 with the Renault-backed Alpine project.
Horner was ousted as CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull in July last year, following the British Grand Prix.
Despite leading the team to six Constructors’ and eight Drivers’ titles since its inception in 2005, a poor run of form since 2024, and an alleged political fallout with the Austrian-half of the Company meant he was shown the exit doors after almost 20 years at the helm.
Since then, the rumour mill has been busy charting the Briton’s next destination in the paddock.
Horner was being suggested as very keen to get back on the pit wall with the likes of Aston Martin having been suggested as strong favourites.
An alleged rift between Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell seemed to give this more credence.
A question of time?
However, Lawrence Stroll quelled these reports during a factory speech at Silverstone that unveiled Newey as the team’s latest Principal heading into 2026.
More recently, reports have strongly suggested that Horner has started plotting a minority takeover of Alpine with the help of investors.
That said, the pathway into the Enstone-based team is riddled with legal hurdles.
According to Planet F1, Renault-backed F1 project’s regulatory disclosures show that while Renault is the majority stakeholder, Otro, a minority 24% shareholder might be willing to sell its stake in the team for around $600 million.
But, as per the Articles of the team, Otro could only sell its stake with prior approval of Renault and/or three years after the said Articles were adopted.
In this case, those three years would end, hence, lifting the embargo, in September this year.
This means that for all intents and purposes, Horner would have to wait until the end of 2026 to push his way into the team, and back into the F1 paddock.
Christian Horner ‘not in the picture’ says Alpine F1 boss
While reports strongly suggest Horner’s arrival at Enstone is a very big possibility, the team has internally shut down this rumors with strong vehemence.
Flavio Briatore, who took over acting Team Principal duties when Oliver Oakes left last season, has said so in as many words.
“I’m not considering in this moment anything,” Briatore had said back in August.
“Christian is not in Formula One anymore. I hope he comes back soon, but for the moment, he’s not in the picture of Alpine.”
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