Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Christian Horner is actively negotiating to acquire a 24 per cent stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team, potentially paving the way for the former Red Bull chief's return to the paddock.
Speaking at Alpine's 2026 livery unveiling in Barcelona on Friday, the Italian executive adviser acknowledged that the 52-year-old Briton is among several parties pursuing the shares currently held by Otro Capital.
"A few groups - I don't know how many, six, seven; every day is a new group - every day people call me about Otro. I don't care," Briatore told The Race.
The investment firm, whose backers include golfer Rory McIlroy and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, purchased its Alpine holding from Renault in 2023 for approximately €200 million.
Christian Horner has been tipped to return to F1 with Alpine | REUTERSAny prospective buyer faces a multi-stage approval process before securing the Alpine shares.
Briatore outlined the pathway clearly: "First you need to buy [the] Otro [share], and after Renault need to accept the buyer, and after we see what's happening."
The French automotive giant retains significant control over who may join the ownership structure.
When Renault sold the minority stake in 2023, it secured both a right of refusal and the ability to match any competing bid.
This veto power means Horner's ambitions remain contingent upon approval from Alpine's majority shareholder, regardless of any agreement reached with Otro Capital.
Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore were close friends in the paddock | PAHorner departed Red Bull last July following two decades at the helm of the Milton Keynes operation, during which he guided the team to all eight of their drivers' world championship titles and six constructors' crowns.
The 52-year-old, who resides near Banbury with his wife Geri Halliwell-Horner, negotiated a reduced severance package to shorten his gardening leave, enabling him to return to Formula 1 from April this year.
Crucially, Horner is understood to be seeking equity ownership rather than a conventional management position. This preference for shareholding mirrors the arrangement enjoyed by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who holds a third of his team.
Briatore was careful to distance himself from the negotiations, emphasising that Horner is dealing directly with Otro Capital rather than the team itself.
"I've known Christian for many years, I talk with Christian anyway, but this has nothing to do with me," he stated.
Christian Horner was sacked by Red Bull last year
|GETTY
"He's negotiating with Otro, he's not negotiating with us."
When pressed on whether the former Red Bull supremo would prove beneficial to Alpine, Briatore offered a measured endorsement.
"I think everybody's a good asset to the team, depending in what position you put the people. No problem," he said.
The pair share a longstanding friendship forged over decades in the Formula 1 paddock.