Toto Wolff confirms whether Alpine purchase is to block Christian Horner F1 return

Christian Horner

Toto Wolff confirms whether Alpine purchase is to block Christian Horner F1 return

Mercedes emerged as interested party for a stake in Alpine

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Wednesday 1 April 2026 09:12

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Toto Wolff has addressed once and for all whether Mercedes intend to block a return to F1 for Christian Horner.

When reports emerged that Otro Capital intended to sell their 24 per cent stake in Alpine F1 team, the door of rumours practically swung itself open to let Horner in.

Believed to want some deal of ownership in his next venture, coupled with confirmation from Flavio Briatore that negotiations were ongoing, Alpine appeared as the logical step back into the F1 paddock for Horner.

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That was until another major name started sniffing at the shares. News later broke that Mercedes, the F1 team led by none other than Horner's greatest rival Wolff, were also interested in the available share.

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Is Wolff blocking Horner?

Mercedes and Alpine have joined forces for 2026 with the current championship leaders supplying engines to the Enstone-based outfit, a deal that will extend until at least the end of 2030.

Discussing Mercedes' plans to purchase the 24 per cent stake in Alpine with the BBC, Wolff finally commented on whether the interest stemmed from a desire to block Horner from acquiring shares.

The team principal confirmed that there was 'no connection' with Horner in regards to the investment and even said it would be 'quite sad' if that was the reason behind Mercedes' interest.

Later speaking on a potential return for Horner, Wolff said: "I am in two minds about it. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport."

"I said to Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone."

Whether Wolff was referring to himself or Vasseur as 'the ugly', we couldn't possibly say. We can only stress that all of God's creatures are beautiful in their own way.

F1 Mercedes Christian Horner Toto Wolff Alpine