Christian Horner could be lining up his next role in F1 just weeks after he was removed from operational duties at Red Bull last week.
Dutch commentator Nelson Valkenburg revealed that Horner has been engaged in extensive discussions with Alpine officials about a potential move to the French team.
The talks have reportedly involved hours of meetings with both outgoing Renault CEO Luca de Meo and the team's chief advisor Flavio Briatore.
Any move would have to wait until after January, when Horner's current contract with Red Bull expires.
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"I just have a feeling he's going to end up at Alpine. I've seen him in talks with both De Meo, who's out, I know and Briatore for hours and hours," Valkenburg stated during The Race podcast.
The Dutch commentator suggested that Horner's primary ambition is team ownership.
"What he wants most is to be a team owner. I feel he would love to own a team, and that team is partly up for sale," he said.
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Valkenburg also indicated he believes Ecclestone could provide financial backing for the deal.
"There have been rumours in this paddock that with some backing, maybe from Bernie Ecclestone himself, he could find himself at least a minority stake owner at Alpine," he said.
"But that can only happen after January, because I think he's under contract until then at Red Bull.
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"If I had to put money on it, he's going to Alpine. But that's still a long way away."
Horner has led Red Bull as team principal and CEO for more than two decades, having guided the team since their Formula 1 debut in 2005.
His long-standing relationship with Ecclestone dates back to those early days, with the 94-year-old former F1 supremo maintaining close ties with the Red Bull boss.
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Alpine is currently valued at £1.2billion, with questions surrounding its ownership future following De Meo's impending departure from Renault.
Previously, both De Meo and Briatore had assured that the team would not be sold, though the leadership change could alter those plans.
Ecclestone remains actively involved in Formula 1 despite his advanced age, having been spotted in the paddock multiple times this season.
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The former F1 chief executive recently participated in an F1 commission meeting at Horner's invitation, offering his views on the 2026 regulation changes.
Valkenburg described the potential partnership between Horner and Ecclestone as combining with "one of the most influential voices in motorsport history."