Christian Horner in Talks to Buy Otro's 24% Alpine stake

Multiple outlets reported that Christian Horner is part of a group in talks to buy Otro Capital’s 24% stake in Alpine. Alpine and de facto team boss Flavio Briatore said approaches have been made to existing shareholders — Otro Capital and Renault — and stressed these were shareholder-level discussions rather than direct approaches to team management. Under the terms of the 2023 sale Renault retained a veto, so any transaction would require Renault’s approval; Alpine said no sale has been announced and talks remain exploratory.

Otro acquired the stake in 2023 for around £170 million (about €200 million at the time) and it is being marketed for roughly $800 million (around £585 million). Interest in the stake reflects rising valuations across F1 and Alpine’s recent on-track struggles, with the team finishing last in the constructors’ championship in the most recent season.

Horner was dismissed from Red Bull after the July 2025 British Grand Prix and left the organisation in September 2025; he shortened his gardening leave and will be eligible to return to the paddock at the end of April. He has denied the allegations that prompted 2024 inquiries and was cleared in an internal probe at the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix and later by an independent KC in August 2024.

Reports say Horner is expected to be working with wealthy backers rather than putting up all purchase funds personally, though financing details remain unconfirmed. Briatore described the situation as “a lot of confusion,” and Alpine reiterated that any sale would require negotiation with Otro, agreement among shareholders and Renault sign-off. Horner is also scheduled for a speaking tour in Australia in late February and early March before the season opener.

At the time of reporting the potential buy-in remained an unfolding, unfinalized development.