Christian Horner F1 return 'delayed'

Christian Horner

Christian Horner F1 return 'delayed'

Christian Horner is in talks to make an F1 return

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Thursday 8 January 2026 17:43

Christian Horner's return to F1 could be delayed after a stake sale deadline at Alpine has been revealed.

The 52-year-old hasn't been seen in the F1 paddock since July, following his dismissal as Red Bull team principal.

Horner has been linked to most F1 teams for a potential return, but none so strongly as Alpine, with Dutch publication De Telegraaf revealing that the former team principal was in talks to purchase a stake in the Enstone-based outfit.

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The Brit is reportedly eyeing up Otro Capital's 24 per cent share, but a recent report for Sport1 suggests this process could be delayed.

Horner return will have to wait

Sport1 claims that Alpine doesn't intend to make a decision on a potential sale of its stake until September 2026, by which point the upcoming season will have reached more than half of its distance.

The report continues that a stake purchased by Horner could potentially upset Mercedes, who will supply Alpine with engines for the 2026 season and beyond.

Horner's long-standing rivalry with Mercedes team principal and part-owner Toto Wolff was named as the reason for this; but, alternatively, Horner maintains good relations and a friendship with de-facto Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore.

Otro Capital's shares in Alpine were acquired in 2023, and were then worth around €200 million, which will likely have doubled in value by then.

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