Horner joins investor group eyeing Alpine stake as team confirms multiple parties in talks

 

Christian Horner, the former Red Bull Team Principal, is leading a consortium of investors in talks to purchase a 24% minority stake in the Alpine Formula One (F1) Team. After being sacked by Red Bull in July 2025 following a period of internal conflict and poor form, Horner is seeking a return to the paddock – not as an employee but as an owner/investor. Alpine confirmed that the group is looking to buy the 24% stake currently held by Otro Capital (an investment group that includes stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce). However, BBC Sport reports that Horner has privately expressed a desire for full control and a role senior to team principal something that would require Renault to eventually relinquish their majority share.

Alpine entered 2026 in its weakest state since returning to the sport. The team finished 10^th in the 2025 Constructor’s Championship, a humiliating result for a full manufacturer team. Alpine has gone through four team principals in three years. The recent arrival of Flavio Briatore as an executive advisor was “last ditch” effort by Renault CEO Luca de Meo to stop the bleeding. In a historic admission of failure, Renault confirmed it would cease its own F1 engine program by 2026, opting instead to become a Mercedes customer team. This makes the team a “chassis only” operation, which is much easier and cheaper for private investment group like Horner’s to manage.

According to Andrew Benson, BBC Sport reported that Horner’s interest isn’t just about passive investment, but a return to a position of power: “He has made it clear privately to several senior F1 insiders that if he returns he wants full control of a team, a role senior to that of team principal and a significant standing.”

The BBC’s quote about Horner wanting a role “senior to team principal” and “full control” is critical. It suggests that a 24% stake might only be a stepping stone. Horner is likely looking for a path to majority ownership or a “chairman” role, which would require Renault to eventually sell more of its 76% share.

The most critical analytical takeaway is Horner’s transition in the F1 hierarchy. For 20 year’s Horner was an employee of Red Bull. While he had immense power, he was ultimately subject to the whims of the corporate board in Austria. By leading a consortium to buy the 24% Otro Capital stake, Horner secures equity. This protects him from being “sacked” again and allows him to reap the capital gains if the team’s value triples – a common occurrence for mid-grid teams in the current F1 team.

On account of Alpine transitioning to Mercedes Power Unit (PU) in 2026, Horner’s entry adds a layer of diplomatic complexity. The legendary friction between Toto Wolff and Horner could compensate the technical partnership. Mercedes may be wary of providing deep level technical integration to a team owned by their long term nemesis. Reports suggest Alpine might delay Horner’s official appointment until late 2026 to ensure the Mercedes partnership is stable before introducing such a divisive figure into the mix.

By Charlie Gardner 

📸 Imagery courtesy of Oracle Red Bull Racing and BWT Alpine Formula One Team