Christian Horner’s hopes of making a swift return to Formula 1 have reportedly suffered a major setback after Renault moved to block any potential involvement in the ownership structure of Alpine.
The former Red Bull team principal has been strongly linked with a comeback to the sport since his departure, with speculation growing around a possible role connected to Alpine. However, fresh reports suggest that Renault, the French manufacturer that owns the Enstone-based team, is prepared to use its authority to prevent any takeover bid involving Horner.
The development comes after negotiations between Mercedes and Otro Capital regarding the sale of a 24 percent stake in Alpine collapsed. According to reports, Mercedes withdrew from discussions after concerns over the valuation of the team. Otro Capital is believed to be seeking around $720 million for its shareholding, a figure that would place Alpine’s overall value at approximately $3 billion.
That valuation is significantly higher than what Mercedes reportedly believes the team is worth, with estimates closer to $2.3 billion. Otro purchased the stake for roughly $233 million in 2023, making the asking price a substantial increase in just a few years.
With Mercedes stepping away from the deal, it initially appeared that alternative investors, including a group linked to Horner, could emerge as potential buyers. However, reports indicate that Renault has no intention of allowing such a move to proceed.
Renault reportedly holds veto power over any sale of Otro Capital’s shares until September. Sources suggest the company would use that authority to block any transaction involving investors connected to Horner, effectively creating a significant obstacle to his return through Alpine.
Despite this setback, Horner’s prospects of re-entering Formula 1 may not be over. The 52-year-old was recently spotted at an event in Cannes representing Chinese automotive giant BYD, a company that has expressed interest in joining Formula 1 in the future.
BYD has already held discussions with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali regarding a potential entry into the championship. Reports claim Horner is currently in talks with the manufacturer, which is keen to benefit from his extensive experience in the sport.
Should BYD decide to pursue an F1 project, Horner could play a key role in helping the company navigate the political, commercial, and sporting challenges involved in securing a place on the Formula 1 grid, potentially opening another route back into the paddock.
