Christian Horner F1 return boost as team sale process begins

Christian Horner might just have been handed a potential route back into F1 following a significant development involving team ownership.

According to sports business outlet Sportico, Otro Capital has appointed investment bank BDT & MSD Partners to explore a sale of its 24 per cent minority stake in Alpine, opening the door for new investors to enter the Enstone outfit.

The investment group originally acquired its stake in 2023 as part of a consortium which also included RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments, the investment arm of Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds.

There is already considerable interest in the opportunity, with Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore telling Italian media recently that at least seven investors were ready to buy the stake.

The development could prove significant for Horner, who has been linked with a potential investment in the team as he considers his next move following his sacking by Red Bull in July 2025.

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Horner linked with potential Alpine investment

Horner has been exploring opportunities to return to F1 and he is interested in more than simply taking up another team principal position.

An ownership stake and a senior leadership role are believed to be important factors in any potential comeback.

The 52-year-old enjoyed an enormously successful spell at Red Bull, overseeing eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles during his time as team principal and CEO.

His departure from the Milton Keynes outfit in 2025 brought an end to one of the most successful team principal tenures in modern F1 history. He was later paid just under £67million in compensation by the team.

Otro Capital's decision to explore a sale presents an intriguing opportunity, particularly given the significant increase in the team's valuation over the past three years.

Alpine stake could deliver massive payday

When Otro Capital led its investment consortium into Alpine in 2023, the group acquired a 24 per cent stake at a valuation of approximately $900 million.

Sportico now values the entire team at $3.28 billion (a 58 per cent increase on 2025), highlighting the extraordinary growth in the financial appeal of Formula 1.

That valuation would place the 24 per cent stake at approximately $787 million.

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