Since being replaced at Red Bull, Christian Horner has been heavily linked with an F1 return. The 52-year-old has spent the last few months assessing plausible destinations on the grid.

In early October, Aston Martin confirmed they would not be signing Horner, with the British team swiftly denying rumours he would substitute Andy Cowell.

Still, the former Red Bull team principal has other options to make an F1 comeback. Based on the latest information, Horner is currently in advanced talks with Alpine.

Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Horner’s most probable path for an F1 return

The news that Laurent Mekies would replace Christian Horner initially came as a huge shock. However, from a bigger picture perspective, the reasons for his dismissal became clear.

After the allegations put towards Horner in early 2024, it took almost a year for the team’s internal frictions to subside.

At least, this is how things appeared from the outside. Within the team, the aftershocks of last year’s intense power struggle were still being felt.

The successive departures of Newey, Wheatley among others were impacted by this in-fighting.

Mere days after leaving Red Bull, Helmut Marko has thrown several accusations in Horner’s direction. According to the 82-year-old, Horner had ambitions of taking greater control of the team – which he claims was detrimental to performance and Verstappen’s title chances.

Regardless of the precise reasons for Horner being dismissed, he is now working towards an F1 return.

As revealed by the Telegraaf, the Briton is currently in discussions with Alpine. Alongside a consortium of investors, he is reportedly looking to secure a stake of the team.

It was roughly two years ago that a series of celebrities – including Ryan Reynolds and Anthony Joshua – bought 24% of the team’s shares with American consortium Otro Capital.

According to the Dutch outlet, Otro Capital is open to selling these shares. This new opening, therefore, presents the most realistic path at Horner’s disposal to return to the paddock.

Moreover, this route could offer Horner a significant level of control over the team. With reports indicating that Horner wants a bigger role than team principal, Alpine could be where he can fulfil these aspirations.

Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain. (Photo by Sam Bagnall/Sutton Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
No clear direction at Alpine

Horner’s talks with Alpine will inevitably trigger wider speculation. Not only is the 52-year-old’s next move under scrutiny, but also the French team’s general direction.

In less than two years, a series of substantive changes have been implemented at Alpine. Appointing Flavio Briatore to the position of executive advisor was one of them – representing a radical attempt by the team’s ownership to improve the team’s fortunes.

Briatore’s inclusion, given the previous departures of big names like Alain Prost, was widely interpreted as Renault’s last roll of the dice.

Speaking of Renault, the decision to make Alpine a customer team must be analysed. At the surface level, taking Mercedes engines for the 2026 regulations could be beneficial from a performance perspective.

Then again, a manufacturer voluntarily transitioning to a customer team does not inspire confidence about Renault’s long-term confidence in their F1 project.

To some, switching to Mercedes power units (in combination with the team’s 2021 rebrand from Renault to Alpine) makes it easier for Renault to sell the team in the future – should this decision be taken.

For the time being, the above speculation is simply that – speculation. Still, with Horner in negotiations with the Enstone team, it is worth considering how a potential agreement could shape Alpine moving forward.

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Main photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images (Red Bull Content Pool)