Why Christian Horner’s F1 return may have to wait as contract issue emerges
- Henry Eccles
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
Ever since his shock departure from Red Bull in July 2025, the consensus in the F1 paddock has been that Christian Horner’s return to the sport would only be a matter of time.
After agreeing a severance package worth at least £50 million to formally leave his dual role as Team Principal and CEO in September, it is understood Horner could return to F1 as early as April 2026, having already been linked with the likes of Ferrari and Aston Martin.
While Alpine have now emerged as the 52-year-old’s most likely destination for a comeback, a new report claims a key ownership clause at the French outfit could delay Horner’s return.
Where things stand
Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore at the Qatar GP 2023 - Getty Images
A key condition of any return for Horner is ownership – or at least part-ownership – in his next team, much in the same vein as his arch-nemesis at Mercedes, Toto Wolff.
Such a condition may have been a sticking point in any negotiations with Aston Martin, who made Managing Technical Partner and shareholder Adrian Newey their Team Principal for 2026 in December.
Legendary aerodynamicist Newey worked with Horner at Red Bull for nearly two decades but their relationship deteriorated following allegations of sexual harassment and controlling behaviour against Horner in February 2024.
While he was cleared internally by Red Bull, and the pair have reportedly mended their relationship since his departure, it was also unclear whether Newey would be open to a reunion with Horner at Aston Martin.
With Aston out of the picture, that has opened the door for Alpine, whose Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore is close friends with the former Red Bull boss.
In December, De Telegraaf reported that Horner had entered talks with Alpine, having put together a consortium of investors interested in acquiring the 24% stake in the team owned by Otro Capital.
Otro Capital, leading a broader RedBird-Maximum Effort consortium that included sports and entertainment stars such as Rory McIlroy, Travis Kelce and Ryan Reynolds, bought its minority stake for $216 million in mid-2023. The American investors are now reportedly looking to sell that stake, said to be worth $558 million in November 2025, for a 170 per cent profit.
With funding not believed to be a problem, Horner seemingly had his way back in, and doubly convenient is the fact Alpine’s headquarters is in Enstone, Oxfordshire, the same county where he lives.
Newly revealed company documents could delay Horner’s Alpine move
Alpine's Pierre Gasly drives past Christian Horner at the 2025 British GP - Getty Images
According to a new report from PlanetF1, however, things might not be that easy.
Writing for the website, editor Mat Coch claims company documents obtained by PlanetF1 have revealed clauses that stipulate how the transfer of shares at Alpine should be handled, including crucial details of when Otro can actually part with said shares.
The document reportedly notes that any sale to a third party can only occur “after the date which is three (3) years after the date of adoption of these articles” – stated as September 13th, 2023 – and that no sale can proceed without the approval of majority shareholder Renault.
Simply put, if PlanetF1’s report is accurate, Horner will not be able to acquire Otro’s stake until mid-September 2026.
That, in itself, would not stop him from returning earlier to F1 in a team principal role, but as previously mentioned, Horner seems wedded to the idea of at least a minority stake wherever he goes next.
Another awkward problem at Alpine?
Flavio Briatore and Toto Wolff at the 2024 Spanish GP - Getty Images
Another issue Horner may face in his attempts to take charge at Alpine comes from his old pals at Mercedes.
The German manufacturer, tipped by many to be the favourites for 2026 thanks to their innovative work with hybrid engines in the past, will supply Alpine with power units and gearboxes until the end of 2030.
Renault, who have had their engines in F1 for nearly 50 years, announced in September 2024 that they were ending its power unit program prior to the 2026 season, with Alpine becoming one of four teams to be supplied by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains.
Mercedes’ F1 team is run and co-owned by Wolff, the Team Principal and CEO with whom Horner has had a fierce, personal rivalry for over a decade. It would therefore not be a surprise if the Austrian felt somewhat uncomfortable with the prospect of supplying a Horner-led team, especially if the power unit is as strong as paddock rumours suggest.
Whether or not Wolff would actually be able to block Mercedes’ supply to Alpine is unclear, however. The Enstone-based team will certainly hope not after a dismal final season with Renault power, having finished dead last in the Constructors’ standings on just 22 points.
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