FIA president fuels speculation over Christian Horner’s F1 comeback – Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has once again found himself at the centre of Formula 1 rumours, after a highly visible meeting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. A social media post showing the two greeting each other warmly has intensified speculation that Horner is laying the groundwork for a return to the F1 paddock.
Since his departure from Red Bull last year, Horner has been linked with several teams, but attention is now firmly focused on Alpine. What was once dismissed as casual paddock gossip is increasingly being viewed as a serious, well-structured plan centred on ownership rather than employment.
A timely FIA visit has raised eyebrows
The latest round of speculation was sparked when Ben Sulayem posted images of Horner visiting the FIA. The pair were seen embracing, with the FIA president captioning the post: ‘Good to see you, my friend.’ Although no official explanation was provided for the meeting, its timing has not gone unnoticed.
It took place during the opening week of Formula 1 testing, when political and commercial discussions often intensify behind the scenes. Although there is no suggestion that the FIA is directly involved in Horner’s plans, the optics alone were enough to reignite talk of an imminent comeback.
Alpine emerges as the leading option
In recent weeks, Alpine has increasingly been viewed as Horner’s most realistic route back into Formula 1. Earlier links to Aston Martin and Haas failed to progress, largely because Horner is no longer interested in returning as a conventional team principal.
Instead, he is reportedly seeking an ownership role, and Alpine presents a unique opportunity. The Enstone-based team has a complex shareholding structure, including a significant minority stake held by investment firm Otro Capital.
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Talks are focused on Otro Capital’s stake
Alpine’s executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, has confirmed that Horner is in discussions to acquire Otro Capital’s 24 per cent stake in the team. Crucially, these talks are not taking place with Alpine or Renault directly, but with Otro itself.
Otros Capital purchased the stake from Renault in 2023 for £173 million. Since then, Alpine’s valuation has risen sharply, with sources suggesting that the same shareholding could now be worth as much as £600 million. Briatore has been keen to stress that he is not personally involved in the negotiations.
“The discussions are between Christian and Otro,” he said, making clear that any deal must be concluded before Alpine considers Horner’s potential role within the organisation.
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Horner’s Red Bull legacy still looms large
Horner was dismissed by Red Bull last July after two decades at the helm. During his tenure, the team secured eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles, establishing itself as one of the most successful outfits in modern F1 history.
However, internal power struggles and a disappointing competitive period ultimately led to his departure. Nevertheless, Horner’s influence across the paddock remains significant, with many former Red Bull staff still closely aligned with him.
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Return delayed until 2026
In any case, any comeback would have to wait. Horner is unable to return to the F1 paddock until April 2026 due to conditions linked to his gardening leave following his departure from Red Bull. He agreed to a reduced severance package to shorten that period, aligning his potential return with the introduction of new technical regulations.
This timing coincides with Alpine’s switch to Mercedes power units in 2026, and the team hopes that the regulation reset will help them close the gap to the front.
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Renault holds the final veto
Despite the momentum, the biggest hurdle remains Renault. As part of the 2023 deal, the manufacturer retained the right of first refusal and the right to match any offer for the Otro stake. Without Renault’s approval, Horner’s investment would be blocked.
Briatore has emphasised that several parties are interested in the shares and that he receives calls daily. Until a deal is signed and Renault gives its blessing, Horner’s return remains hypothetical.
What is clear, however, is Horner’s ambition. He is not seeking a job, but influence and ownership. Whether Alpine can offer him this opportunity will determine whether one of Formula 1’s most powerful figures truly makes his way back.
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NEXT ARTICLE – Leclerc now a convert after initial negativity about F1 2026
Having driven Ferrari’s first effort at a virtual 2026 car in the simulator last July, Charles Leclerc looked like a man who’d seen a ghost when he reported the experience. “Let’s say it’s not the most enjoyable race car I’ve driven so far but we are still in a moment where the project is relatively new,” he said.
“My hope relies in the fact that it will evolve quite a bit in the next few months but it’s no secret that I think the regulations for next year is going to be a lot more … probably less enjoyable for drivers to drive. So yeah, I’m not a big fan of it for now but it’s the way it is and at the end of the day I think there’s a challenge and I would like the challenge of maximising a very different car to what it is at the moment. But will I enjoy it? Probably not.”
Hardly a ringing endorsement for what has been years of debate and procrastinating over the look and feel of the all new Formula One cars and their powertrains. And Leclerc was not alone in his criticism of the new F1 era as Lance Stroll opined after a session in the Aston Martin simulator.
New F1 era “a science project”
“It’s just a bit of a shame we’re just – Formula 1’s just – taking that path of electric energy and we’ve had to shed all the downforce off the cars to support the battery power,” he said. “It should be fun to see some light, nimble, fast cars with a lot of downforce and just simplify the whole thing a little bit. Less so of an energy, battery, championship, science project and more of just a Formula 1 racing championship.”
Stroll went on to reveal a number of other drivers felt the same, but were being gagged by their teams for “political reasons.” Now as the Barcelona test that wasn’t a test – it was a shakedown – draws to a conclusion, all the drivers have had a chance to experience not a ghost car on a screen but the real thing.
Immediately striking has been the conversion of Charles Leclerc who believed that 2026 would be “less enjoyable.” Having completed a mammoth 89 laps in the dry on Thursday, the Monegasque driver has shed is expectation of mere technical driving experience having felt the physical and intellectual demands required to get the best…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
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