Christian Horner, the high-profile former team principal of Red Bull Racing and one of the most influential figures in modern Formula One, is reportedly preparing a bold and ambitious return to the sport. Following his dramatic departure from Red Bull in 2025 after nearly two decades at the helm, fresh rumours have emerged suggesting that Horner could be on the brink of executing a massive £665 million bid to take control of an existing Formula One team — most likely Alpine.
This potential takeover would represent one of the most startling and high-stakes moves in the history of Formula 1, not merely because of the sheer size of the financial figure being mentioned, but also because it would see Horner transition from being a team manager and principal to becoming an outright owner with strategic control over a racing operation.
From Red Bull Glory to Sudden Exit
Christian Horner’s long and storied association with Red Bull Racing is well documented. He joined the team in 2005 and, over the next 20 years, oversaw an era of unprecedented success. Under his leadership, Red Bull became one of the dominant forces in Formula 1, winning eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships. The team’s success included multiple world titles with Sebastian Vettel early on and later with Max Verstappen, establishing Red Bull as a perennial front-runner in the sport.
However, the final months of Horner’s tenure at Red Bull were turbulent. Engine performance faltered, internal disagreements intensified, and the team’s form slipped relative to increasingly competitive rivals. These challenges culminated in Horner being relieved of his duties in July 2025, ending a chapter that had defined both his career and the modern Red Bull legacy. Soon after his dismissal, Horner negotiated an exit settlement reportedly worth around £80 million, allowing him to formally leave the team and freeing him to pursue new opportunities in the sport.
The Alpine Opportunity
Amid the speculation about his next steps, several Formula 1 teams were briefly linked with Horner. Early rumours even suggested talks with Ferrari and Aston Martin could be underway, although these did not develop into concrete offers or agreements.
The Alpine team, however, appears to be the entity around which the most compelling takeover rumours are now swirling. Alpine, the French-based outfit formerly known as Renault, had endured a difficult 2025 season both on and off the track, struggling for performance and consistency. Over recent years, the team’s ownership structure has also evolved, with investment groups such as Otro Capital — backed by high-profile names including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds — purchasing a minority stake.
Reports indicate that Horner has formed a consortium capable of raising approximately €763 million (around £665 million) with the explicit goal of buying a majority share of the Alpine team. This fund would likely be used to wrest control away from current stakeholders and place Horner in a position of much broader authority and influence than he ever held at Red Bull. The proposed strategy reportedly involves acquiring shares currently held by groups like Otro Capital and possibly other investors.
A Shift in Strategy: From Management to Ownership
What makes this potential move particularly significant is its conceptual departure from Horner’s previous roles in Formula 1. At Red Bull, he operated as a team principal — a senior management position but one subordinate to the team’s corporate ownership and broader board structure. Should this new bid for Alpine succeed, Horner would not just be returning to a leadership position but effectively becoming an owner with decisive control over the direction of the team.
This shift highlights a strategic evolution in his outlook: rather than returning simply as a hired executive or team principal under another owner, Horner appears determined to secure a level of autonomy and influence that may have been unavailable to him at Red Bull.
Potential Implications for Formula One
A Horner-led Alpine operation could have far-reaching implications for the sport. Under current leadership, Alpine has struggled to consistently challenge for top positions in the Constructors’ Championship. With experienced leadership and a substantial investment, however, there’s potential for the team to embark on a restructuring that emphasizes engineering development, strategic racing performance, and commercial growth.
It would also send a powerful message about how influential figures — even those who have experienced professional setbacks — can reposition themselves at the highest levels of global motorsport. For a sport as competitive and financially demanding as Formula 1, major ownership changes can reshape the competitive landscape, influence sponsorship dynamics, and alter relationships with engine suppliers and technical partners.
Current Status and What’s Next
As of now, these takeover reports remain speculative and are based on media sources within Europe that have been tracking negotiations and discussions behind the scenes. While they paint a vivid picture of Horner’s intentions and the scale of ambition involved, no official announcement has been made by either Christian Horner or Alpine. Should the deal progress, formal confirmations would likely come through press releases by the parties involved or regulatory disclosures required for Formula 1 team ownership changes.
It’s also worth noting that Horner’s ability to fully participate in Formula 1 — whether as an owner or an executive — may have been affected by contractual “gardening leave” clauses following his Red Bull exit, which reportedly restrict his involvement until a certain period has passed. Nevertheless, the scale of the numbers involved and the seriousness of the reported negotiations suggest this could be more than mere rumour.
✔️ Summary: Christian Horner, after a sensational exit from Red Bull, may be preparing a monumental £665 million bid to acquire control of the Alpine Formula One team. If successful, this move could transform his role in F1 from team manager to powerful owner, igniting a fresh chapter in both his career and the sport’s competitive landscape.
