Christian Horner wants to return to Formula 1, the Brit wants to buy into Alpine. The former Red Bull team boss still has to overcome a high hurdle and conclude the purchase agreement with Renault.
Although Christian Horner is working hard on a return to Formula 1, according to Ralf Schumacher, he will have to wait a while for his comeback in the paddock, as he revealed in the “Sky” podcast “Backstage Pit Lane”. “From what I’ve heard, it’s probably already been decided” that Horner will join Alpine. However, a conclusion should not be expected “before mid-autumn next year”.
Schumacher explained: “There are reasons for that, also because Mercedes is now new and Toto Wolff and Christian Horner are perhaps not the best of friends. That’s why at Alpine – at least that’s what I heard – they want to start the year and then think about changes.”
Aston Martin has been driving with a Mercedes engine since this season, Silver Arrow team boss and shareholder Wolff is not necessarily one of Horner’s supporters.
It is possible, Schumacher continued, that Alpine chief advisor Flavio Briatore could also try to “keep power with himself” until Horner comes on board.
The Italian won’t be too happy that the ex-Red Bull team boss wants to join Alpine and “play a role” there. “Then, I could imagine, Flavio Briatore’s autocracy could be different or end.”
Horner is pushing back into Formula 1
Briatore recently confirmed on the sidelines of the team’s car presentation that Horner was planning to buy shares in the racing team.
The majority of Alpine’s shares are held by Renault, but 24 percent are held by an investor group led by the US company Otro Capital and led by Hollywood great Ryan Reynolds and NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes. This is what Horner is looking at, who in turn is said to have gathered investors around him.
“There are some groups that are interested in buying the 24 percent,” Briatore told media representatives. “I’ve known Christian for many years, I talk to Christian anyway, but that has nothing to do with me. First you have to buy the Otro shares, then Renault has to accept the buyer, and then we’ll see what happens.”
