Christian Horner is negotiating to purchase the 24% stake in Alpine currently held by Otro Capital, but he has a backup plan for his F1 return if the Renault Group blocks the deal.
Renault’s executive adviser Flavio Briatore confirmed that Horner is among several consortiums interested in Otro Capital’s shares. This comes as Horner works toward an F1 comeback following his dismissal from Red Bull last July.
Having accepted a reduced severance package from Red Bull to shorten his gardening leave, Horner will be eligible to return to the paddock by the end of April. Aston Martin and Ferrari have often been linked with him, though neither looks particularly likely at this stage.
Alpine now appears to be the leading option for where Horner could make his return, but it’s not straightforward. Renault holds veto power over any sale of Otro Capital’s shares, as part of their agreement on the £164 million deal finalised at the end of 2023.
Horner’s alternative plan for Racing Bulls if Alpine move falls through
There isn’t expected to be a major roadblock for Horner when it comes to his plans to acquire Otro Capital’s shares, even though the group has put a steep $800m (£585m) price tag on their stake. Horner might not have enough capital on his own, but he does have a network of high-profile investors backing him.
If Renault agrees, the deal could move quickly. Not only would it involve Horner stepping into a position with more authority than he had at Red Bull, but it could also affect Flavio Briatore’s role within the team structure.
While Alpine is clearly Horner’s first choice for a return, he hasn’t ruled out starting his own team from scratch. There’s also an outside chance he could take over Racing Bulls, should they come up for sale at the right time and price.
Red Bull haven’t shown much interest in selling Racing Bulls before now, but there are some signs they could be open to shifting focus entirely onto their main team. Despite being let go by Oliver Mintzlaff during his time at Red Bull, reports suggest that Horner and Mintzlaff still keep in touch and remain on speaking terms.
Liberty Media eyeing Christian Horner’s return as F1 looks to fill Drive to Survive character gap
Horner, though eager to get back into Formula 1, isn’t in a hurry to sign any deal unless it offers the right level of influence and shares for a long-term position. According to The i paper, his potential return is also something Formula 1’s owners, Liberty Media, would welcome.
Liberty Media reportedly sees value in bringing Horner back into the fold, viewing him as the kind of figurehead the current paddock lacks. In the age of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, individual personalities have become increasingly important.
The aftermath of his dismissal by Red Bull after the 2025 British Grand Prix is expected to feature heavily in Season 8 of Drive to Survive when it drops on Netflix on February 27, 2026. The new F1 season kicks off shortly after, with the opening round in Australia from March 6-8.
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