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.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SI202505251007-1024x683.jpg\")
Christian Horner and Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1. (Photo by Mark Thompson\/Getty Images) \/\/ Getty Images \/ Red Bull Content Pool
\nHorner\u2019s most probable path for an F1 return<\/p>\n
The news that Laurent Mekies<\/a> would replace Christian Horner initially came as a huge shock. However, from a bigger picture perspective, the reasons for his dismissal became clear.<\/p>\n After the allegations put towards Horner in early 2024, it took almost a year for the team\u2019s internal frictions to subside.<\/p>\n At least, this is how things appeared from the outside. Within the team, the aftershocks of last year\u2019s intense power struggle were still being felt.<\/p>\n The successive departures of Newey, Wheatley among others were impacted by this in-fighting.<\/p>\n Mere days after leaving Red Bull, Helmut Marko<\/a> has thrown several accusations in Horner\u2019s direction. According to the 82-year-old, Horner had ambitions of taking greater control of the team \u2013 which he claims was detrimental to performance and Verstappen\u2019s title chances.<\/p>\n Regardless of the precise reasons for Horner being dismissed, he is now working towards an F1 return.<\/p>\n As revealed by the Telegraaf<\/a>, the Briton is currently in discussions with Alpine. Alongside a consortium of investors, he is reportedly looking to secure a stake of the team.<\/p>\n It was roughly two years ago that a series of celebrities \u2013 including Ryan Reynolds and Anthony Joshua \u2013 bought 24% of the team\u2019s shares with American consortium Otro Capital.<\/p>\n According to the Dutch outlet, Otro Capital is open to selling these shares. This new opening, therefore, presents the most realistic path at Horner\u2019s disposal to return to the paddock.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Horner\u2019s talks with Alpine will inevitably trigger wider speculation. Not only is the 52-year-old\u2019s next move under scrutiny, but also the French team\u2019s general direction.<\/p>\n In less than two years, a series of substantive changes have been implemented at Alpine. Appointing Flavio Briatore<\/a> to the position of executive advisor was one of them \u2013 representing a radical attempt by the team\u2019s ownership to improve the team\u2019s fortunes.<\/p>\n Briatore\u2019s inclusion, given the previous departures of big names like Alain Prost, was widely interpreted as Renault\u2019s last roll of the dice.<\/p>\n Speaking of Renault, the decision to make Alpine a customer team must be analysed. At the surface level, taking Mercedes engines<\/a> for the 2026 regulations could be beneficial from a performance perspective.<\/p>\n Then again, a manufacturer voluntarily transitioning to a customer team does not inspire confidence about Renault\u2019s long-term confidence in their F1 project.<\/p>\n To some, switching to Mercedes power units (in combination with the team\u2019s 2021 rebrand from Renault to Alpine) makes it easier for Renault to sell the team in the future \u2013 should this decision be taken.<\/p>\n For the time being, the above speculation is simply that \u2013 speculation. Still, with Horner in negotiations with the Enstone team, it is worth considering how a potential agreement could shape Alpine moving forward.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SI202505301973_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1024x683.jpg\")
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
\nNo clear direction at Alpine<\/p>\n