Christian Horner's prospects of returning to Formula One with Alpine appear to be strengthening, according to reports suggesting the former Red Bull supremo has identified Otro Capital's 24 per cent shareholding as his route back into the sport.
Reports say that Horner is pursuing the American investment firm's minority position in the Enstone-based outfit.
It is understood that Horner has made clear he would require both an ownership stake and complete operational authority over any team he might lead.
Alpine's location proves particularly convenient for the 52-year-old, who resides near the team's headquarters, whilst the structure of the ownership would potentially accommodate both of his stated conditions.
Christian Horner left Red Bull after 20 years at the helm | GETTYOtro Capital forms part of the RedBird-Maximum Effort consortium that acquired a stake in Alpine back in 2023, a group boasting an impressive roster of sporting and entertainment luminaries including golfer Rory McIlroy, American football star Travis Kelce, and Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Michael B Jordan.
It is widely acknowledged that Otro Capital has been actively seeking a buyer for its holding, with Alpine themselves apparently welcoming such a departure.
Flavio Briatore, the team's executive advisor, offered a rather pointed assessment of the situation at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
"We don't need a sleeping partner," Briatore told Boardroom.
The French manufacturer endured a wretched 2025 campaign, propping up the constructors' standings in tenth and last position, underscoring the urgent need for fresh leadership.
Christian Horner is hoping to get back into F1 | PAHorner's credentials for such a turnaround are beyond dispute, having steered Red Bull to six constructors' titles, eight drivers' world championships, and 124 grand prix victories during his tenure—a tally surpassed by only one other team principal in the sport's history.
Financing appears unlikely to present an obstacle, with Horner reportedly having secured backing from numerous investors eager to gain a foothold in Formula One.
His longstanding friendship with Briatore could prove instrumental in facilitating any agreement, though questions remain about whether the pair would collaborate or whether Horner might supplant the 75-year-old Italian, who has faced health challenges including cancer and heart surgery in recent years.
A potential complication looms in the form of Alpine's agreement with Mercedes to supply power units and gearboxes through to the end of 2030, with the German manufacturer anticipated to possess the most competitive engine when sweeping new regulations take effect next season.
Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore were close friends in the paddock | PAMercedes F1 is run and part-owned by Toto Wolff, Horner's longstanding rival, who might well raise objections to supplying a team under his adversary's command—though whether he could practically block such an arrangement remains uncertain.
Under the terms of Horner's settlement with Red Bull following his departure earlier this year, he is understood to be permitted to return to the Formula One paddock by next spring.