JUST IN: Christian Horner F1 return takes McLaren twist as new talks emerge… Read more

Christian Horner F1 Return Takes McLaren Twist as New Talks Emerge

 

By Hugo Harvey

 

Christian Horner’s potential return to Formula 1 has taken a fresh and intriguing turn, with new reports linking the former Red Bull team principal to investors previously connected with McLaren Racing. Less than a year after his dramatic exit from Red Bull, Horner’s name is once again circulating at the centre of high-level F1 discussions, this time involving Alpine and some of the sport’s most powerful financial players.

 

Horner, who was dismissed from his long-held role at Red Bull in July 2025 after two decades in charge, has made no secret of his desire to find a route back into the paddock. Having overseen one of the most successful eras in modern Formula 1 history, his absence from the grid has felt temporary rather than permanent. That impression has only grown stronger following recent comments from Horner himself, in which he confirmed that a return to the sport remained a realistic possibility.

 

According to a new report from Sky News, Horner is now in talks with a group of institutional investors over a potential move involving Alpine. Among those investors is MSP Sports Capital, a firm that previously held a stake in McLaren Racing and played a role in a deal last year that valued the Woking-based team at approximately £3.5 billion. The involvement of a former McLaren backer adds an unexpected layer to Horner’s comeback story and underlines the seriousness of the discussions.

 

Sky News reported that MSP Sports Capital were part of a group of high-net-worth investors who held talks with Horner about backing a possible bid for Otro Capital’s 24 per cent stake in the Alpine F1 team. Otro Capital currently owns just under a quarter of Alpine, with Renault retaining majority control. Any acquisition of that stake would not automatically grant operational control, but it would open the door for significant influence within the Enstone-based outfit.

 

Neither Horner nor MSP Sports Capital have publicly commented on the latest report. MSP declined to respond when approached by Sky, while Horner has so far remained silent as speculation continues to build. However, this is not the first time his name has been linked to Alpine or to the potential purchase of the Otro Capital shareholding.

 

Back in January 2025, Alpine confirmed that Horner and a consortium of investors were among several parties exploring the possibility of buying Otro Capital’s stake. Those rumours were later acknowledged by Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore, who confirmed that discussions had taken place but insisted that personal relationships were not shaping the process.

 

Briatore was clear that interest in the Alpine stake was widespread and ongoing. He stressed that any potential sale would be handled on commercial terms, regardless of who the interested buyer might be. While he acknowledged knowing Horner well, Briatore dismissed the idea that this connection would give the former Red Bull boss any special advantage in negotiations.

 

The structure of Alpine’s ownership means that even if Horner were to successfully lead a bid for the 24 per cent stake, Renault would still hold around 75 per cent of the team. That dynamic suggests that a Horner return would likely be strategic rather than absolute, at least initially. Even so, his experience, reputation, and influence within the sport would make his presence felt almost immediately.

 

Horner’s track record is difficult to ignore. During his time at Red Bull, he guided the team through multiple championship-winning eras, first with Sebastian Vettel and later with Max Verstappen. His ability to build long-term projects, manage star drivers, and navigate complex political landscapes made him one of the most powerful figures in Formula 1. For a team like Alpine, which has struggled to consistently challenge the front-runners, that expertise could be highly attractive.

 

The reported involvement of MSP Sports Capital also highlights the growing role of external investment in Formula 1. As team valuations continue to rise and the sport’s global profile expands, private equity firms and institutional investors are increasingly eager to secure a foothold on the grid. MSP’s previous link to McLaren underscores their familiarity with the commercial and sporting realities of Formula 1, making them a credible partner in any potential deal.

 

At this stage, the realism of Horner’s return remains uncertain. Talks do not guarantee a transaction, and Alpine are under no obligation to approve any particular buyer for the Otro Capital stake. Nevertheless, the fact that discussions continue, and that they involve serious financial backing, suggests Horner’s ambitions are more than speculative.

 

For now, Formula 1 waits. Horner’s silence may be strategic, but the message from recent developments is clear: one of the sport’s most influential figures is actively exploring a path back. If the Alpine talks progress, and if the investor interest solidifies, Christian Horner’s absence from the paddock may soon come to an end, setting the stage for one of the most compelling return stories in modern F1 history.

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